How to do CPR on an Adult - First Aid Training - St John Ambulance

Summary

This video provides essential guidelines for performing CPR on an unresponsive adult who is not breathing normally. It emphasizes calling for emergency help, starting chest compressions immediately, and performing rescue breaths if trained. Key steps include interlocking hands and pressing down on the chest to a depth of 5-6 cm at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute. The video also highlights using an AED if available and continuing CPR until professional help arrives or the casualty becomes responsive. It offers clear instructions for beginners and encourages learning CPR to save lives.

Takeaways

• 😀 If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call for help immediately by dialing 999 or 112.
• 😀 If an AED is available, ask someone to bring it while you begin CPR.
• 😀 Start CPR with chest compressions: Place hands on the center of the chest and press down 5-6 cm at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute.
• 😀 To help with the pace, you can sing 'Staying Alive' to maintain the correct rate for chest compressions.
• 😀 After 30 chest compressions, give 2 rescue breaths if trained and able to do so.
• 😀 To give rescue breaths, tilt the head back, pinch the nose, and seal your mouth around the casualty’s mouth.
• 😀 If you're unable to give rescue breaths, continue with chest compressions until help arrives or the casualty becomes responsive.
• 😀 If someone can assist, swap every 1-2 minutes to minimize interruptions to chest compressions.
• 😀 If an AED is available, follow its instructions while continuing CPR.
• 😀 Continue CPR until emergency help arrives, the casualty becomes responsive, or you become too exhausted to continue.
• 😀 If the casualty starts breathing normally again, place them in the recovery position and monitor them closely.

Q & A

What should you do if you find someone unresponsive and not breathing normally?

You should call for help immediately. Ask someone to call 999 or 112 and request an AED if available, while you start CPR.

How should you perform chest compressions during CPR?

Kneel beside the casualty's chest, place one hand in the center of the chest, and the other on top, interlocking your fingers. Press down 5 to 6 centimeters with straight arms, then release the pressure and allow the chest to rise. Repeat this to give 30 chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 beats per minute.

How can you maintain the correct pace while performing chest compressions?

You can sing 'Staying Alive' to help maintain a pace of 100 to 120 beats per minute.

What should you do after completing 30 chest compressions?

After 30 chest compressions, give two rescue breaths. Open the casualty's airway by tilting their head back, pinch their nose, and give a steady breath into their mouth. Repeat with a second breath.

What should you do if you are unwilling or unable to give rescue breaths?

If you are unwilling or unable to give rescue breaths, continue chest compressions until help arrives or the casualty becomes responsive.

What is the proper technique for giving rescue breaths?

To give rescue breaths, open the casualty's airway by tilting their head back. Pinch the nose and blow steadily into their mouth, ensuring their chest rises. After one breath, remove your mouth and watch the chest fall before giving a second breath.

How should you continue CPR if someone is available to assist you?

If someone can help, you can swap every one to two minutes with minimal interruption to chest compressions. If an AED is available, the helper can turn it on and follow its instructions while you continue CPR.

What should you do if the casualty starts to show signs of becoming responsive?

If the casualty starts to breathe normally, open their eyes, or show other signs of responsiveness, place them in the recovery position, monitor them, and be ready to restart CPR if needed.

What are the conditions that should prompt you to stop CPR?

You should stop CPR if emergency help arrives, the casualty becomes responsive, or if you become too exhausted to continue.

What is the role of the AED during CPR?

If an AED is available, it should be used alongside CPR. Follow the AED's instructions while continuing chest compressions. The device will guide you through the necessary steps for defibrillation.