Unconsciousness & Steps to Perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Malaysian Red Crescent SMK Hillcrest

By: Staff Sergeant Mohd Syameer Firdaus (5 Alpha 2012) Private Amirul Fakhri (3 Amal 2012)
Malaysian Red Crescent, SMK Hillcrest 2012.

What is unconsciousness?
complete or nearcomplete lack of responsiveness

unaware of both self and external surroundings

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Unconsciousness vs sleeping
The difference between being asleep and being unconsciousness is that an unconscious person will not wake up. Unconsciousness is a medical emergency

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Why the fuss?

When someone goes unconscious, they loose muscle tone
o

This means they go all floppy like a rag doll

The tongue (a muscle) can block their airway when it looses muscle tone
o

This is known colloquially as swallowing your own tongue

In addition, loss of control over their stomach muscles can cause stomach contents (vomit) to travel back up to the throat which can block the airway
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What is the airway?

The airway is a series of tubes which caries air from your mouth & nose to your lungs It can become blocked by the tongue and regurgitation of stomach contents This will stop the casualty from breathing

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Helping someone who is unconscious

You can use the mnemonic DR ABC to remember what to do! If you suspect someone is unconscious, do not leave them!

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Introduction (2)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a first aid technique to help people who suffer a cardiac arrest (their heart stops beating). It involves doing chest compressions and rescue breaths to keep the casualty alive until a defibrillator arrives. A defibrillator is an electrical device which can be used to help restart someones heart. CPR on its own is unlikely to restart someones heart, however it will increase the chance of a defibrillator being successful.

Malaysian Red Crescent, SMK Hillcrest 2012.

Patient assessment
If you find someone collapsed, you can use the mnemonic DR ABC to help you remember what to do

Malaysian Red Crescent, SMK Hillcrest 2012.

D: Danger
Ensure there are no dangers to yourself, other bystanders or the casualty Ask yourself - why has the casualty collapsed? Are there any hazards? Am I at risk? Dangers could include: moving vehicles, electricity, water, other people and smoke/fire Only help if it is safe to do so

Malaysian Red Crescent, SMK Hillcrest 2012.

R: Response
Try and wake the casualty up - are they responsive? Kneel by his/her head, shout loudly in both ears and tap them on the shoulders If no response, the casualty is unconscious

Malaysian Red Crescent, SMK Hillcrest 2012.

At this point
If a casualty does not wake up they are unconscious. This is an emergency situation Try and attract attention to yourself/the casualty by shouting for help However, DO NOT leave the casualty

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A: Airway
The airway is the tube which takes air from the mouth/nose to the lungs When a casualty is unconscious, their tongue can fall backwards and block their airway. This can cause an obstruction and stop the casualty from breathing

Malaysian Red Crescent, SMK Hillcrest 2012.

A: Airway
To open someones airway, place one hand on their forehead and tilt their head backwards Then place two fingers on the bony part of their chin and lift it. This is known as the head tilt, chin lift maneuver.

Malaysian Red Crescent, SMK Hillcrest 2012.

Malaysian Red Crescent, SMK Hillcrest 2012.

B: Breathing
Keep your hands on the persons head/chin Place your cheek above their mouth and look at their chest Look, listen and feel for regular breathing for up to 10 seconds.

Malaysian Red Crescent, SMK Hillcrest 2012.

C: Call an ambulance
If a casualty is not breathing normally, call an emergency ambulance immediately If a bystander is available, they can call the ambulance for you Ensure you tell the operator that you have an unconscious, non-breathing casualty.
Malaysian Red Crescent, SMK Hillcrest 2012.

Adult CPR
After an ambulance has been called, you should commence CPR. First, you should give 30 chest compressions Place your hands in the centre of the persons chest, over the breastbone (sternum) Interlock your fingers Push down 30 times at a rate of 100 - 120 compressions / minute

Malaysian Red Crescent, SMK Hillcrest 2012.

Adult CPR
Interlocking fingers

Malaysian Red Crescent, SMK Hillcrest 2012.

Chest compressions
Ensure your elbows are locked and your shoulders positioned above the chest Push down to a depth of about 5cm Ensure you release fully after each compression

Malaysian Red Crescent, SMK Hillcrest 2012.

Chest compressions
Sternum will break

Malaysian Red Crescent, SMK Hillcrest 2012.

Rescue breaths
After 30 chest compressions, give 2 rescue breaths. Tilt the casualtys head backwards, life their chin and then pinch their nose Make a seal over their mouth and breath in for approximately one second

Malaysian Red Crescent, SMK Hillcrest 2012.

Adult CPR
Continue the cycle of 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths until help arrives If there is more than one first aider, swap over doing chest compressions regularly If a defibrillator arrives it should be used immediately
Malaysian Red Crescent, SMK Hillcrest 2012.

Malaysian Red Crescent, SMK Hillcrest 2012.

Summary
Danger Response Airway Breathing Call an ambulance

Malaysian Red Crescent, SMK Hillcrest 2012.