Updated way to administer CPR

[iamkeri1]

Dear ones,
We help each other so many ways here at the BFP. Maybe we can learn to actually save each others lives. There is a lot more to be said about this topic, and hands on training is the best way, but as this article says TRYING to help will not hurt anyone.
Smooches,
Keri


The American Heart Association announced today new recommendations for the way CPR is performed. The small change could make a big difference in the lives of people suffering from cardiac arrest, the organization says.

For nearly 40 years, CPR guidelines have trained people to follow these simple A-B-C instructions—tilt the victim's head back to open the airway, then pinch their nose and do a succession of breaths into their mouth, and finally perform chest compressions.

But now, the AHA says starting with the C of chest compressions will help oxygen-rich blood circulate throughout the body sooner, which is critical for people who have had a heart attack. With this shift, rescuers and responding emergency personnel should now follow a C-A-B process—begin with chest compression, then move on to address the airway and breaths. This change applies to adults, children, and babies, but does not apply to newborns.

The revision is a part of the 2010 emergency cardiovascular care report published by the AHA., an organization that reviews its guidelines every five years, taking into account new science and literature. Although the changed procedure will take some time to reach what Monica Kleinman, the vice chair of the AHA's Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee, calls "front-line people", there is a plan in place to implement the recommendations as soon as possible to their training network, medical staffs, and first-responders.

"The sooner chest compressions are started, the more likely there will be a better outcome," Kleinman announced. "Studies performed in labs as well as large-population studies have shown that people do better if they get chest compressions within four minutes."

That four minutes is the amount of time it could take for emergency crews to rapidly respond, Chicago firefighter and CPR instructor Kelly Burns notes. Until then, he stresses that any CPR bystanders perform can make a difference.

"Early activation is critical," Burns says, especially in cities where traffic and walk-up buildings can slow even the fastest respondents during a trauma where every minute counts.

When someone needs CPR, the very best reaction is a quick one, he says.

"In a perfect world, someone else calls 911 while you start chest compressions on the person in need," he advises. According to Kleinman, however, only about one-third of victims of cardiac arrest get assistance from bystanders.

Despite changing guidelines, outdated training, or any confusion in the moment, Burns says that no one who tries CPR is faltering.

"People are reluctant to jump in and help, especially if the person is not a family member or friend," Burns observes on a weekly basis. "The only mistake a civilian can make in these situations is waiting and not doing anything at all."

To that end, the new AHA guidelines are meant to help anyone who encounters this kind of emergency—the idea being, if they know better, they will do better.

5 potentially life-saving notes to remember about the new C-A-B method of CPR:

1. There are no mistakes when you perform CPR.
"One thing most people don't know, " Kleinman says, "is that there is almost nothing you can do [during CPR] to harm a person in cardiac arrest except delay responding."

Starting with chest compressions is now viewed by the AHA as the most effective procedure, and all immediate assistance will increase the chances the victim will survive with a good quality of life.

If one person calls 911 while another administers CPR, as Burns recommends, emergency operators will give informed instructions over the phone as well as dispatch aid to the scene.

2. All victims in cardiac arrest need chest compressions.
The AHA asserts that people having a heart attack still have oxygen remaining in their lungs and bloodstream in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest. Starting chest compressions first thing pumps blood to the victim's brain and heart sooner, delivering needed oxygen. This new method saves the 30 seconds that people performing CPR used to take to open the airway and begin breathing under the old guidelines.

3. It's a myth that only older, overweight men are at risk for a heart attack.
"Equal numbers of women and men have heart attacks," Kleinman reports. Sufferers are primarily adults.

Although infants and children are far more likely to require CPR due to accidents than cardiac arrest, it is important to know how administer care to them. (You can learn how to perform CPR on infants and children with this kit produced by the AHA or by signing up for one of their training sessions.)

4. Nearly all cardiac emergencies occur at home.
"Ninety percent of events take place at home. If you perform CPR in your lifetime, it's probably going to be for someone you love," Kleinman reveals.

5. Training is simpler and more accessible than you think.
Learning CPR has never been hard, Kleinman says, but guideline changes in the last ten years have reduced the number of steps and simplified the process even more.

Traditional CPR classes (listed here on the AHA website) are accessible for many people at local schools and hospitals.

Kits are also available to complete in the privacy of your own home or workplace. Kits available through the AHA include inflatable, disposable mannequins and a training DVD.

"Anybody can learn to do CPR. It's clearly important for saving lives, and now it is easier than ever," Kleinman asserts.

[katsarecool]

thank you for posting this!!! It will save a life!!!

[Selenay]

People who are untrained should not attempt full CPR. People who are trained in CPR often exert more than 125lbs of pressure, which can do far more harm than good.


Even in a best case scenario, in which the CPR performer is trained, the CPR success rate is only 10%.

You'd do much more good to call EMS if you are untrained, and if you do not have CPR certification, take a course so that you'll be more prepared in case of an emergency.

[LipstickLola]

Originally Posted by Selenay

People who are untrained should not attempt full CPR. People who are trained in CPR often exert more than 125lbs of pressure, which can do far more harm than good.


Even in a best case scenario, in which the CPR performer is trained, the CPR success rate is only 10%.

You'd do much more good to call EMS if you are untrained, and if you do not have CPR certification, take a course so that you'll be more prepared in case of an emergency.

With all due respect, a person can survive a few broken ribs a whole lot more than a 99% occluded artery, specifically if it's LAD. I break ribs in my job, the surgeon who steps in to relieve me breaks ribs, it happens, circulation, opening the artery first, repair broken ribs second. As far as other internal organ damage that can occur? it's secondary to the opening of these arteries to in fact 'stop' the heart attack. Chest compressions saves lives!!

[Selenay]

Originally Posted by LipstickLola

With all due respect, a person can survive a few broken ribs a whole lot more than a 99% occluded artery, specifically if it's LAD. I break ribs in my job, the surgeon who steps in to relieve me breaks ribs, it happens, circulation, opening the artery first, repair broken ribs second. As far as other internal organ damage that can occur? it's secondary to the opening of these arteries to in fact 'stop' the heart attack. Chest compressions saves lives!!

Of course broken ribs are preferable to dead people; I'm not saying it's not.

However, the facts are that CPR does not have a great success rate outside of a hospital, and that the success rate increases significantly when people are performing CORRECT CPR rather than what they've seen in the movies or on television, which is why I recommend wholeheartedly that people become CPR certified.

It is also important to note, y'all, that you can't kill someone by doing CPR incorrectly; if someone is in cardiac arrest, they're already dead, and CPR can only help. But this is a thread for discussing the benefits of a new style of CPR and, like it or not, the reality is that CPR, more often than not, does not work and people need to be cognizant of that and take all measures to save people the best way they can--which in many cases is to call paramedics in addition to CPR.

Chest compressions saves lives, but so do education and information.

[iamkeri1]

Here is more info. Many medical sources now recommend "hands only" CPR Let's face it folks, lots of people hesitate to do CPR because they do not want to put their mouths on on an unknown person, especially one who might be sick. Use this link to view a video demonstrating "hands only" CPR.


http://handsonlycpr.org/

[iamkeri1]

Here is a link to instructions in several types of CPR including how to do CPR on your pets.

http://depts.washington.edu/learncpr/

[LipstickLola]

Originally Posted by iamkeri1

Here is more info. Many medical sources now recommend "hands only" CPR Let's face it folks, lots of people hesitate to do CPR because they do not want to put their mouths on on an unknown person, especially one who might be sick. Use this link to view a video demonstrating "hands only" CPR.


http://handsonlycpr.org/

EXACTLY!

The AHA realizes that people hesitate, hands on CPR for circulation is best, and here is WHY, you do not know who is around the corner, behind your back, or just in the next booth. Get your hands on that persons chest to get the blood circulating. That's a helluva lot better than standing around on your cell phone watching someone turn blue and gasp, yes?

Addendum.....not all persons in arrest are considered non-viable. I see it day in and day out.

[theoddz]

I'm another health care provider (Respiratory Therapist) who has participated in more CPR/ACLS events than I care to even think about. Speaking from my own experiences and training, I can say that Selly is right in saying that most CPRs and ACLS events are *not* successful, even in the hospital environments, if we are speaking about "meaningful" recoveries. Outside of the hospital environment, however, a person does have a better chance at some level of survival if chest compressions, in particular, are administered right away. Outside of the hospital, most of the poor/bad outcomes are due to the patient not receiving chest compressions/circulatory rescue in a timely manner. All it takes is 6 minutes without oxgen to the brain before irreversable brain damage....then death, occurs.

Here in Las Vegas, as well as in other places, almost all, if not all, of the casinos now have AED's (Automatic Electronic Defibrillators) publicly accessible. These are really easy for really anyone to use and the units literally walk a rescuer and layperson through the process of resuscitation. If you're out in the middle of nowhere, however, and this sort of thing isn't available, it's important that chest compressions, in particular, are administered right away!! The "old style" used to think that rescue breaths were just as important as chest compressions, but the new training has been putting much more emphasis on chest compressions, as there is usually enough oxygen in the lungs during an arrest to provide immediate sufficient oxygenation, if compressions are started right away. Effective chest compression is defined by depressing the sternum by 2 inches with the heel of the hand. And yes, in many, many cases, especially with frail and/or elderly people, ribs are usually fractured during this process. A CPR/ACLS event is NOT a "pretty" sight, as the patient usually loses his/her bladder and/or bowels and there can be a LOT of vomiting involved. This is why I carry a pocket mask in my truck at all times.

I want to also encourage everyone to take a simple CPR class. You never really know when you'll need it, or a loved one's or a stranger's life will depend on it. It's easy and I think it may be free if you call the American Heart Association and ask about a simple layperson's class.

This is a good thread!!!!

~Theo~

[Linus]

For those that want to take CPR courses you can take them with:

in Canada:

St. John's Ambulance: http://www.sja.ca/Pages/default.aspx
Canadian Red Cross: http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=8328&tid=068

In the USA:

Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/courses/aed.html
Heart & Stroke Foundation (apparently -- website isn't loading however).

Getting instructions now is a good start but for longer term, you should take a full course on it and re-certify regularly. Could mean saving someone's life. And that would make it worth it.

[Ryobi]

With all due respect.

I agree a hospital is an extreme example of success in using CPR. Even a Pro rescuer doesn't have the option of opening the chest.

I don't agree that you can't harm a person doing CPR. Yes, better than dead but, you can still cause harm.

As a Pro rescuer and CPR instructor, I found it interesting when the change was made for a choking person falls unconscious. Now, we teach chest compressions to clear the airway. Most likely, no cardiac arrest there. Do it wrong and puncture a lung because of choking, now you have bigger problems.

I have some concerns with starting with chest compressions.
1.) why am I doing them? If the person has a pulse, and is breathing, compressions aren't needed. If I start with compressions, I don't know the other two.
2.) if there is no initial assessment during the A. and B. portion, what if the person has a pacemaker or other devise. Yeah, you can hurt someone.
3.) heart attack is a typical cause for cardiac arrest. not the only cause.

I agree, doing something is better than doing nothing. I agree people should get training in the skills. And I agree, because I know first hand, CPR doesn't always work.

[iamkeri1]

Selenay,
Thank you so much for arguing for the broader view. Of course, of course, of course, call for paramedics (dial 911.)

Also try to prepare yourself emotionally that even though you are trying like hell to preserve a persons life, it may not "work." When hubby died we did CPR and mouth to mouth on him till help arrived, but he still did not survive. A sad and awful day, perhaps made worse by the fact that we tried to help him but (as we viewed it at the time) failed. It's hard emotionally to intervene in someone's life or death struggle.
Smooches,
Keri

Originally Posted by Selenay

Of course broken ribs are preferable to dead people; I'm not saying it's not.

However, the facts are that CPR does not have a great success rate outside of a hospital, and that the success rate increases significantly when people are performing CORRECT CPR rather than what they've seen in the movies or on television, which is why I recommend wholeheartedly that people become CPR certified.

It is also important to note, y'all, that you can't kill someone by doing CPR incorrectly; if someone is in cardiac arrest, they're already dead, and CPR can only help. But this is a thread for discussing the benefits of a new style of CPR and, like it or not, the reality is that CPR, more often than not, does not work and people need to be cognizant of that and take all measures to save people the best way they can--which in many cases is to call paramedics in addition to CPR.

Chest compressions saves lives, but so do education and information.

[Ryobi]

AED= automated electronic device.

Theo, I'm only putting this in here because you said automatic. Automatic gives the impression you don't have to do anything. It's confusing for some that are first learning to use them.

[Tommi]

Thanks Everyone. You may save a life.

[princessbelle]

Great thread!!!! Another health care provider here. Have done a lot of CPR. It doesn't always work...true...the key is making sure there is or isn't a pulse. Don't forget to check. If there isn't a pulse....DO IT. A stopped heart beat is about as harmful as it gets.

Breaking ribs? gosh yes it happens. Don't worry. Just do it. In the malls and many public places they have AED devices....simple to use. Keep a watchful eye when you roam around and you can spot them. They are simple to use...tells you everything to do.

Saving a life is what CPR is about. If you don't act...you can't help save.

The red cross offers hundreds of classes at church, schools, employment places...everywhere.

Learn CPR...save a life!!!!!!!

[atomiczombie]

I should go back and get re-certified.

[Ryobi]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

I should go back and get re-certified.

That would be awesome!

CPR certification good for 1 year.

First Aid certification good for 3 years.

These are Red Cross certs. I don't know the numbers for AHA.

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by Ryobi

That would be awesome!

CPR certification good for 1 year.

First Aid certification good for 3 years.

These are Red Cross certs. I don't know the numbers for AHA.

It's every 2 years for the American Heart Association.

~Theo~

[LipstickLola]

I very much like all of this discussion in regards to CPR! Two thumbs up to everyone!

We're sort of the choir, Many here seems to be in a medically related field, which is great. Lay people are the ones the guidelines are speaking to, like checking for a pulse, call 911 etc. (that's understood for us) We can split hairs and sub-categorize and sub-categorize yet again all of the variables to someone being 'down'. Witnessed arrests versus unwitnessed is a tricky situation, the choking? omg, most would think that rolling someone onto their side is logical and common sense, can't speak to those changes and wouldn't try. The mouth sweep? ewww, been there done that. I do carry a mouthpiece for rescue breathing, (in vehicle) but would it be available readily? I doubt it.

I suppose I'm passionate because I've been very very lucky having had two separate situations away from the hospital setting, both men made it, and both times, just around the proverbial corner was help. One had by-pass, one had angioplasty but both are well.

The new AED's are cropping up all over the place, the statistics will be interesting as to whether or not they're beneficial. It's very hard to wait while the AED advises what to do, those moments/seconds while someone is lying in front of you seem endless. You can buy your own AED, very cool!

Most civic groups, organizations have a fabulous opportunity to edcuate their members in CPR, as do schools and the organizations within them. As we have all seen, you can educate yourself if so motivated.

We can all make a difference in our very own corner of the world!

As we say at the hospital.......see one, do one, teach one!