Ernest Rosenbaum, MD, is Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San...read more
- How to Deal with Emergencies at Home: Part 1 of 2
- How to Deal with Emergencies at Home: Part 2 of 2
- Going Home from the Hospital: Part 1 of 2
- Going Home from the Hospital: Part 2 of 2
- Exercises for People with Limited Mobility: Part 1 of 2
- Exercises for People with Limited Mobility: Part 2 of 2
- Bed Positioning: Part 1 of 2
- Bed Positioning: Part 2 of 2
- Care of Colostomies & Ileal Conduits: Part 1 of 3
- Care of Colostomies & Ileal Conduits: Part 2 of 3
- Care of Colostomies & Ileal Conduits: Part 3 of 3
- Home Safety Solutions
- How to Administer the Heimlich Maneuver for Choking
- How to Administer CPR
- Emergency Situation: Difficulty Breathing
- Emergency Situation: Severe Bleeding
- Emergency Situation: Broken Bones or Falls
- Before Hospital Discharge—Evaluating Your Homecare Needs
- Bathroom Aids
- Skin Care Treatments and Solutions
- Massage Therapy Techniques
- Pain Medication at Home—Top Do’s and Don’ts
- Pain Medication at Home—The Steps of Giving an Injection
- Pain Medication at Home—Side Effects from Pain Medication
- Pain Medication at Home—Intramuscular and Subcutaneous Injections
- Pain Medication at Home—Controlling Pain
- Housework Tips
- Mouth Care for Cancer Patients
- Eating and Drinking Aids
- Dressing Tips
- Cooking Tips
- Bowel and Bladder Care
- Administering Pain Medication at Home
- Activities and Aids to Daily Living Overview
Supportive Homecare
How to Administer CPR
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Ernest H. Rosenbaum, M.D.
Herman Uhley, M.D.
Isadora Rosenbaum
Becky Moore, R.N.
What should you do if the person you're with suddenly stops breathing and has no pulse? If the patient is under medical care but is not terminally ill, you must act immediately by applying the life-saving technique of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). CPR is a means of maintaining breathing and blood circulation during a crisis situation in which the patient cannot continue these functions on his own.
Use CPR when a person is unconscious and not breathing, and there is no pulse. Immediately tell any bystanders to call 911.
The CPR Technique
First lay the person on his back on a hard surface; then begin applying the "ABC's" of CPR.
AIRWAY: Tilt the patient's head back to open the airway.
BREATHING: Breathe into the patient's mouth with four quick breaths. Pinch the nose shut while doing this.
CIRCULATION: Check for a pulse at the side of the neck If the pulse is absent, but the patient has a potential for recovery, start the following procedure:
1. Find the pressure point over the heart, which is about one and one half inches above the sternum, or breastbone.
2. Press down on the pressure point with the heel of your palm so that it compresses the chest 1 1/2 to 2 inches. With a smooth, steady rhythm, press down fifteen times within the period of approximately twelve seconds.
3. Now check for a pulse or breathing. If they are both absent, begin the sequence of Breathing and Circulation steps again. CPR must be continued until medical help arrives to take over. It is easier to sustain the rhythm if CPR is performed by two people: one for pulse-taking and heart massage and the other person for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
To learn proper techniques and procedures to be followed in special types of emergencies, you should take a certified CPR course, available through your local branch of the Red Cross, your fire department, or a community agency such as the American Heart Association.)
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Posted in Emergencies, How to Care for Someone at Home, Supportive Homecare
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