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Basic Life Support
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| When recalling principles of basic life support, think 'Doctor ABC' to remember the following DrABCD The following information is a set of guidlelines but should not be considered a substitute for doing a first aid course which includes important practical experience in resuscitation. Visit a page with Resuscitation demonstrational videos D is for Danger Assess the situation for any dangers to yourself, others present and the victim (fire, traffic, electrical dangers, uncertain footing etc.) once you have ascertained that the area is safe, commence basic life support. R is for Response Assess whether the victim is conscious or unconscious. Approach them so they can hear you, introduce yourself, gently touch their shoulders (DONT SHAKE) and ask the following - Are you OK?? - Open your eyes. What's you're name? - Squeeze my hands (put your hands in both the casualty's hands, not just one, to assess their response) if the victim is a baby, try to assess their response by tickling their feet, lightly rubbing the forehead and/or by gently calling their name. If your casualty is conscious, you need to calmly manage their injuries and provide verbal reassurance. If you are alone with them you will need to go and call for help. If their IS NO response (ie. the victim is unconscious) it is vital to get an ambulance as quickly as possible as this is a life-threatening situation.(before you commence Basic Life Support if at all possible) CALL AN AMBULANCE IMMEDIATELY or yell out for someone to help "HELP PLEASE, THERE'S BEEN AN ACCIDENT" so someone else can call. (You can never assume this has been done, always double-check and confirm.) A is for AIRWAY Check that the airway is clear. The airway could be obstructed with food, teeth, vomit, blood, toys, foreign bodies etc. The tongue is also a potential airway hazard in an unconscious person. A clear airway means the casualty can breathe. This is essential....to check: * Position the casualty on their back or side.(You only need to move a victim if they are found face-down.) Care must be taken to keep head stable if necessary to move. * Gently open the casualty's mouth and look inside. (dont tilt an infant's head back as you would an adult) * Use your finger to carefully scoop any foreign matter out (take care not to push anything down the throat!) B is for BREATHING After the airway is checked and cleared, check for signs of life ie. whether or not they are breathing . This is done by the previous "LOOK, LISTEN, FEEL" method over 10 seconds: * Gently place your hand on the diaphragm , between the belly button and ribs * Put your ear over the casualty's nose and mouth (without touching.) * LOOK at your hand to see if it is moving with the rise and fall of the person's breathing? * LISTEN for any breathing sounds with your ear close to their mouth. * FEEL for any air moving both with your hand on the diaphragm and for any breath near your ear. Do this for 10 seconds. If the victim IS breathing * Put them in the recovery position. This is laying on the side for a child or an adult, head tilted backward little and the mouth directioned toward the ground. For a baby, they should be in your arms face-down with a clear airway (make sure your hands are not near the throat). * Check their breathing constantly as an unconscious person can stop breathing at any time. If the casualty is NOT breathing.... Make sure someone has called for an ambulance Give them two quick breaths. This will differ according to their age. BABY: (Up to 12 months of age.) * No head tilt is required (though chin should not be on the chest.) * Put your mouth over the baby's nose AND mouth. * Blow two very soft "puffs" of air into the baby's lungs. ( very quick and small.) CHILD: (Between age 1-8 years.) * ½ a head tilt is required. Place one hand on the forehead, the other on the chin (not the throat) and tilt the head back ½ way. * Pinch the child's nose closed. * Completely cover the child's mouth with your mouth. * Blow two small breaths of air into the child's lungs ADULT (Age 9 years and above.) * Full head tilt is required. Place one hand on the forehead, the other on the chin and tilt the head back without force. * Hold casualty's nose closed. * Cover their mouth with your mouth & blow for about 1 second, watch the chest to see if it is rising, give a second breath * You should be able to feel expired air after each breath Double-check breathing with "LOOK, LISTEN, FEEL" , re-assess. C is for COMPRESSIONS Unlike in the past, do not waste time checking for a pulse.... if they are not breathing start compressions straight after the two breaths. BABY * Place your index and middle fingers in the centre of the baby's chest, between the nipples. CHILD AND ADULT * Kneel by their side. Place the heel of your hand in the centre of the chest (on the sternum), interlocking your fingers of the upper hand (take care not to apply pressure to the end of the sternum, upper abdomen or ribs) The next step is regardless of age: * Give 30 compressions, at a rate of 100 compressions per minute (not quite 2 compressions per second) * At 1/3 depth of the particular person's chest. After the 30 compressions, give two more breaths of air Continue a cycle of 30 compressions then 2 breaths (the ratio of 30:2) until the ambulance arrives and takes over from you. D is for DEFIBRILLATION (When available) Fibrillation is a life threatening heart rhythm when the heart beats so fast that the victim doesn't have enough circulation to the brain, lungs and heart etc. , hence they become unconscious . It is rarely associated with babies and children. Defibrillation is an emergency procedure using an AED machine (Automatic External Defibrillator) . A shock is used to increase the chance of survival for a casualty suffering fibrillation. The AED is now available in many public places, therefore formal training for using an AED is encouraged. Re-checking for circulation - You should only stop basic life support to re-check the victim's circulation if they start breathing normally again, otherwise do not interrupt the basic life support protocol. When to stop CPR If more than one rescuer is available, swap each 2 minutes during , otherwise continue basic life support until help arrives or you physically cannot continue. REMEMBER: ANY ATTEMPT AT RESUSCITATION IS BETTER THEN NO ATTEMPT - Fior more information on Basic Life Support visit the website of the Australian Resuscitation Council. Look into a first Aid Training course NOW. Practical training is as important as theory when learning basic life support for saving a life. | |
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