Learning How to Perform CPR
While the hope is always there that you will never have to use CPR to save someone’s life, there is always the chance that you may be thrust into that situation.
You will want to make sure that you are prepared to perform CPR if you find yourself placed in that situation.
It would be horrible to be the only one who could have saved someone’s life if you have prepared yourself and learned this important skill.
Someday, you may have to save the life of one of your dearest loved ones, such as a child or a spouse.
The best way to learn CPR is take a course on it from experienced emergency medical trainers. These courses are usually very cheap or even free to take.
In addition, these trainers will be able to demonstrate how it is actually done instead of simply telling you.
For something that you have to do such as CPR, a demonstration is usually much more effective in relaying to you how to perform it correctly.
These classes often have you practice performing on CPR on a doll or model.
While you practice, the trainer will be able to tell you what to correct so that when you really do have to perform this service in real life, you will be able to help instead of accidentally putting the other person’s life in more danger.
By taking the class, you can often earn a card that certifies you as someone who has learned this technique.
Although it has been rare, some people have gotten into trouble for performing CPR without this card because they were not professionally trained and they did something wrong that harmed the other person.
It is best to carry this card with you at all times so that people cannot sue you when you try to help. When you attend the class, one of the first types of CPR that you will learn is adult resuscitation.
The first thing you will need to do if you find an unresponsive adult who is not breathing normally is to call 911.
This will make sure that you have to perform CPR for as short a time as possible because the professionals will arrive and be able to take care of the person from there.
In addition, the person who answers your emergency call will be able to give you instructions if you have forgotten what to do in the moment of the emergency.
After you make the call and if the person is still not breathing normally, you will want to begin chest compressions.
Chest compressions can be performed by pushing down in the center of the chest of the adult about two inches. You should do this 30 times at a fast rate.
It is important to aim for about 100 compressions per minute, which is faster than once per second. If the person has completely stopped breathing, you will want to pause after 30 compressions to tilt the head back and lift the chin.
This will open up the breathing passage way so that the air can flow easier through that area. Then, lean your head down by the person’s mouth and look towards their chest.
If you can see their chest moving or if you can feel a little breath on your ear, you should simply continue performing compressions.
However, if you cannot see or feel these things you will need to begin breathing for them.
Start by pinching the nose and covering their mouth with yours. You should blow until you see the chest of the other person rise.
The breath you should give should last about one second and you should give two breaths before you do another set of compressions.
If the person begins breathing on his or her own, continue the compressions until they seem to be breathing normally.
It can be quite scary to be faced with an emergency situation like this. However, the number one thing that you must remember is that you should stay calm.
By staying calm, you will be able to help the person effectively. If you have taken the classes and you are prepared, you will be able to help the person even more.
Remember, that the emergency medical team will arrive soon after your call. They will be able to take over and provide for more of the person’s needs and you will be able to feel good about helping in the small way that you were able to.
Tommy Greene is a certified CNA and has worked in health care for the past 15 years. He has great advice on what education is necessary to become a Medical Assistant Utah.
Contact Info:
Tommy Greene
TommyGreene09@gmail.com
www.coleholland.com
