GeneralWhen Do You Need To Perform CPR?

Understanding when to perform CPR can mean saving or losing a life. Typically, many signs indicate when you should administer CPR. And once you notice them, you must act immediately.

It’s imperative to remain calm in these moments. It’s always easy to succumb to adrenaline and panic. But, your training must first come to mind.

What is CPR?

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is a technique used to help provide oxygen to someone in the event medical personnel aren’t around.

CPR helps to keep the brain and the rest of the organs living by prompting oxygen flow throughout the body. If someone is unconscious, there is still enough oxygen in the body to sustain them for just a few minutes.

But, this oxygen is not circulating. CPR is used to prompt the oxygen to move into other areas of the body until medical help arrives.

Although it’s not a guarantee to save someone’s life, CPR significantly strengthens their chances. Often, if performed early enough, CPR can double or triple the chances of someone’s survival.

When Should You Perform CPR?

There are several causes as to why a person may need CPR administered. These situations can include car accidents, cardiac arrests, if they are suffocating, incidents where they nearly drown, or if they are not breathing.

Here are some other instances where you should begin CPR.

If There Is No Pulse

If you cannot feel a pulse, you should begin chest compressions. In this case, it means their heart is not pumping, and oxygen isn’t flowing to the rest of their body.

CPR will help keep blood pumping to the chest, heart, and brain until medical help arrives.

A Person Occasionally Gasps for Breath

Once someone has gone into cardiac arrest, they can usually breathe for some time afterward. But, they may also begin gasping for breath, so CPR should be immediately administered.

When You Shouldn’t Perform CPR

There are situations where you should not perform CPR. There are some situations where it may be too dangerous to perform CPR, depending on the case and the environment.

1. The Scene Is Too Hazardous

Certain situations may be too dangerous to access and administer someone CPR. Scenarios such as a house fire where power lines are nearby. Or, on the scene of a car accident, traffic could be bustling, increasing your chances of getting hit.

In cases like these, it may be best to keep a safe distance and not put yourself at risk of sustaining severe injuries, or worse. Of course, you can always call 911 and remain on the scene to at least keep an eye out but only at a safe distance.

2. If Someone Is Breathing Normally

In situations where a person is in danger, naturally, we want to go on the scene, help, and ensure the person is okay. But, not every situation may be what it seems.

If you’re in this situation, but you get a feeling that something may be off, then it’s best to listen to your instincts.

Sometimes, criminals set the stage and create fake scenarios to lure potential victims. So, if something may feel strange or unsafe, don’t go near the scene. Instead, go to a safe location and call 911.

3. If You Feel Something Is Off

In situations where a person is in danger, naturally, we want to go on the scene, help, and ensure the person is okay. But, not every situation may be what it seems.

If you’re in this situation, but you get a feeling that something may be off, then it’s best to listen to your instincts.

Sometimes, criminals set the stage and create fake scenarios to lure potential victims. So, if something may feel strange or unsafe, don’t go near the scene. Instead, go to a safe location and call 911.

Are There Any Risks Associated with CPR?

Performing CPR is very helpful and life-saving. But, unfortunately, it doesn’t come without serious risks for both the patient and the person administering chest compressions.

There are quite a few consequences of delivering CPR, with the first being broken ribs. Due to the amount of pressure needed to get the heart pumping during chest compressions, the patient likely may suffer a broken rib or a broken sternum.

Other risks include internal organ damage, physical disability, and even hypoxic brain damage. In addition, people who survive CPR may need to get to the hospital for rehabilitation.

This may include the use of a breathing tube known as intubation. This alone can cause several health problems. Including damage to the lungs and voice box, collapsed lungs, infections, and pneumonia.

When Should You Stop Providing CPR?

It’s crucial to begin giving CPR if the situation permits, but it’s also essential to know when to stop. Continuing chest compressions after someone no longer needs them can do more harm than good.

Here are some signs that you need to stop administering CPR.

• If the environment around you suddenly changes from safe to threatening. This can include bad weather, unsafe people, a clear road that suddenly became busy, etc.

It’s always best to remain safe and in these scenarios, you must stop CPR and instead wait for medical help.

• You should stop if an AED (automated external defibrillator) becomes available for use instead. Defibrillators are often seen as a better option as they help to provide an electric shock to help restart the heartbeat immediately.
• The act of CPR can be quite demanding physically. So if you find yourself becoming extremely tired you should stop right away. Otherwise, you could unintentionally cause severe injury due to not thinking clearly and exhaustion.
• Once someone starts breathing, you can stop doing chest compressions. The person regaining their breath again means they have gained consciousness. And you successfully performed CPR.

The Proper Steps To Administer CPR

There are two stages to giving CPR: preparation and performing. Properly preparing a person before giving CPR is crucial.

Preparation

It’s essential to prepare to give CPR. These steps must be taken before providing compressions to ensure the victim does not choke and that medical help is on the way.

1. Call 911

First, you want to call 911. Doing so will ensure medical help is on the way while you’re attending to the victim.

2. Put Them on Their Back and Open the Airway

As carefully as you can, get them on their back. Then open the airway by tilting the head back, ensuring their chin is tilted up.

Open their mouth and closely check for obstructing objects (food, objects, vomit, etc.) If so, carefully remove it. But, if the obstruction is solid, trying to extract it may push it further down the throat.

3. Listen for Breaths

Lean down next to their mouth and listen closely for breathing for 10 seconds. If they are gasping or not breathing at all, begin CPR.

Administer CPR

Next, you need to administer CPR. Again, you must follow these steps as accurately as possible. The result of performing CPR incorrectly is an injury to the victim.

These injuries include broken teeth, vomiting, compressed lungs, aspiration pneumonia, and difficulty recovering.

It can also potentially lead to a decrease in the victim’s chances of survival. An infection could also occur due to an injury. Severe damage can be done to abdominal organs causing gastric injury, and several other health problems.

1. Chest Compressions

Now you need to prepare for chest compressions. First, put one hand on top of the other and clasp them together tightly.

Ensure your elbows are straight and push down hard just beneath the nipples with the bottom of your hands.

Compressions should be done 100 times to 120 per minute.

2. Provide Rescue Breaths

With their head tilted back and mouth open, begin mouth to mouth. Ensure you pink their nose closed and start blowing into their mouth.

Their chest should rise as you’re giving them breaths. If their chest doesn’t rise with the first breath, re-tilt their head.

If it isn’t rising, this may, unfortunately, mean they are choking.

3. Repeat the Steps

Repeat the process of giving two rescue breaths with 30 chest compressions. Do this until the victim either begins breathing or until medical aid arrives.

It’s important to note that proper form is a significant determining factor in whether you properly do chest compressions or not. Ensure you locate your hands in the center of the chest, your elbows are locked, and your shoulders are parallel to your hands. Let the chest rise after every compression.

Conclusion

CPR is an incredible medical technique that can increase the chances of saving a person’s life. Understanding how to properly perform CPR is essential and ensuring you keep yourself safe during these moments.

If you are unsure about how to do chest compressions or if your mind goes blank in a high-pressure moment, keep an eye on the victim after calling 911.

It’s better to be safe than take a risk and unintentionally cause more harm to the victim. Keep in mind it’s also essential to look for signs if you shouldn’t proceed with CPR.

To be prepared to give CPR, take a certification course in Basic Life Support (BLS).

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