Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, also known as CPR, is an important part of survival and disaster preparedness, and whether you know it or not can quickly mean the difference between the life and death of another. When it comes to incidents, accidents, survival situations and disasters, sometimes you have to play hero, and knowing CPR can get you one step closer to doing it right.
The American Heart Association (AHA) introduced new standards to CPR in 2010 and they have likely saved many more lives because of it. The new system can be summarized in three simple words: compressions, airway and breathing – CAB. Michael R. Sayre, MD, chair of the emergency cardiovascular care committee for the AHA and co-author of the executive summary of the 2010 guidelines for CPR and emergency cardiovascular care said, “The old approach was causing delays in chest compressions, which are crucial for keeping the blood circulating.”
Many victims lives can be saved simply by starting with chest compressions instead of opening the airway and only moving on to airway (A) and breathing (B) when necessary. While some survivors may not be comfortable performing the breathing part of CAB, it’s important to recognize that the human brain begins to die after just 3 minutes without oxygen… simply put, it’s a great way to turn into a Zombie of sorts. Luckily for most victims, properly performed compressions are all that is needed for recovery.
CPR: A How To Guide
Step 1. Check for breathing.
- Watch for the person’s chest rising and falling with breaths.
- Listen for air escaping the lungs and feel for it against the side of your face.
If the victim is not breathing (or is gasping for breath), call 911 and begin step 2. If the victim is breathing, but unresponsive to stimuli and attempts to wake them, briskly rub your knuckles against the victim’s sternum. (the flat boney piece located in the center of the chest). If the victim does not wake or is confused and unable to speak after waking, call 911.
Step 2. Chest compressions. If the victim is not breathing, place the heel of your hand in the middle of their chest. Place your other hand on top of the first with your fingers interlaced. Compress the chest at least 2 inches. Allow the chest to fully recoil before the next compression.
Apply 30 compressions at a rate of 100 pushes per minute (try counting along to the beat of Bee Gees: Staying Alive). It’s normal to feel minor snaps and pops when first applying chest compressions, but be careful to avoid cracking ribs, especially in children and the elderly.
Step 3. Rescue breathing. After applying 30 compressions, open the victim’s airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin upward. Pinch the victim’s nose shut and make a seal over their mouth with yours. Protective measures such as a CPR mask can be used if available. Give the victim a deep breath, big enough to make their chest rise as their lungs expand. Remove your mouth from the victim and let the chest fall naturally, then repeat the process once more.
If the chest doesn’t rise on the first breath, reposition the victims head and try again.
Step 4. Repeat. Apply 30 more chest compressions and 2 more rescue breaths. Repeat this step for about 2 minutes (roughly 5 cycles of compressions and breaths).
Step 5. Check for breathing. After 2 minutes of compressions and rescue breaths, pause to recheck the victim for breathing. If the victim is still not breathing, continue CPR starting again with chest compressions. Repeat the process, checking for breathing every 2 minutes, until help arrives. If the victim wakes up, or begins breathing on their own you can stop CPR.
While studying this guide and practicing these basic steps could in fact help you save a life someday, this is not a substitute for actual CPR training. Find a CPR class near you and get basic first-aid training when possible. Classes are often available at local community colleges, some community centers and pools or you can find a local class with the Red Cross here: LOCATE RED CROSS CPR CLASSES.
Make sure to print out our Zombease CPR Quick Card for in the moment access to this potentially life-saving information.
Special thanks to Ben Marchi for his help and inspiration for this piece.
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