Getting blood to the brain is the most important part of CPR and taking time out to give breaths reduces blood pressure immediately back to zero. With continued compressions, the brain gets the blood that it needs.

The AED protocol has seven basic steps:

• Check unresponsiveness.
• Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number (if applicable) and retrieve the AED.
• Open the airway and check for breathing.
• Check for a pulse.
• Attach the AED electrode pads.
• Analyze the heart rhythm.
• Press the “shock” button, if advised.

Early CPR improves the flow of blood and oxygen to vital organs, an essential component of treating cardiac arrest. By keeping the brain supplied with oxygenated blood, chances of neurological damage are decreased. CPR should be started as soon as possible and interrupted as little as possible.

If the victim has a pulse and is breathing normally, monitor them until emergency responders arrive. If the victim has a pulse but is breathing abnormally, maintain the patient’s airway and begin rescue breathing. If at any point there is no pulse present, begin administering CPR.

If the person is not breathing but has a pulse, give 1 rescue breath every 5 to 6 seconds or about 10 to 12 breaths per minute. If the person is not breathing and has no pulse and you are not trained in CPR, give hands-only chest compression CPR without rescue breaths.

How is CPR Performed? There are two commonly known versions of CPR: For healthcare providers and those trained: conventional CPR using chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth breathing at a ratio of 30:2 compressions-to-breaths.

One of the biggest changes in the guidelines – implemented in 2005 – was to move from 15 compressions/2 breaths (15:2) to 30:2. The intention was to increase the number of chest compressions delivered per minute and reduce interruptions in chest compressions.

2 breaths

4 Criteria for When to Stop CPR

• Obvious Death. When you witness cardiac arrest, starting CPR immediately gives the victim the highest chance of survival.
• Cold To the Touch.
• Rigor Mortis.
• Livor Mortis (Lividity)
• Injuries Not Compatible With Life.
• Physical Fatigue.
• Signs of Life.
• Advanced Help Arrives.

Once you begin CPR, do not stop except in one of these situations:

• You see an obvious sign of life, such as breathing.
• An AED is available and ready to use.
• Another trained responder or EMS personnel take over.
• You are too exhausted to continue.
• The scene becomes unsafe.

When performing CPR, how do I know if it’s working? You can tell if the chest rises with ventilation. It is hard to determine if the chest compression results in a pulse. Do the best you can and don’t stop.

The rescuer does not receive specific compensation for performing CPR. Under most Good Samaritan laws, laypeople are protected if they give CPR even if they have had no formal training. If it’s not part of your job, you have no legal duty to give CPR. But some people think you have an ethical duty to give CPR.

The question is not whether you can be sued for performing CPR; the question is whether you can be successfully sued. The answer in most cases is no; Good Samaritan laws in most states protect bystanders from legal consequences if they act prudently and in keeping with their training.

DON’T BE A…

1. Bender. Keep those arms as straight as possible.
2. Bouncer. The rescuer’s hands need to stay in contact with the patient’s chest during compressions.
3. Rocker. Rockers compress from the side of the victim.
4. Double-Crosser. Do not ‘criss-cross’ your hands.
5. Massager.
6. Leaner.
7. Lousy Dancer.
8. Lightweight.

When a person’s heart stops beating, they are in cardiac arrest. During cardiac arrest, the heart cannot pump blood to the rest of the body, including the brain and lungs. Death can happen in minutes without treatment.

45 percent

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure that involves chest compressions. However, properly administering CPR chest compressions may cause a rib to break due to the amount of pressure and force required.

The first thing we want to say is that yes, breaking a rib is always disconcerting, but no, you don’t need to stop performing CPR if you feel a rib break.

According to two new studies, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, or rescue breathing, isn’t necessary during CPR in some cases. Mouth-to-mouth still is recommended in certain circumstances.

Proper steps for performing CPR and using an AED on women Remove all clothing from the patient’s chest – this includes swimsuits, bras, sports bras, tank tops, and regular tops. If you need to, you can cut through clothing with the shears included in an AED’s response kit. Be sure to cut away from the person’s face.