Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is performed in cases of acute heart failure. If used correctly, the patient has a good chance of being resuscitated. If started too late or if chest compressions are not used properly, lack of oxygen can cause irreparable damage to the brain within three minutes.
What is chest compressions?
Cardiac massage is an immediate life-saving measure. It is used when a person is found to be in circulatory arrest. Cardiac massage is an immediate life-saving measure. It is used when a person is found to be in circulatory arrest. It should be started immediately. The chances of successful resuscitation decrease by 10 percent every minute. After ten minutes, the chance of successful resuscitation is 0 percent and the brain is clinically dead. CPR must be performed until some rescue personnel arrive and take over or the person begins to breathe again.
Function, effect, and goals
Before chest compressions can be performed, it is necessary to check that the unconscious person has really stopped breathing. To find out, one kneels next to the injured person. Now the head is carefully stretched backwards to clear the airway. To do this, one hand is placed on the forehead and the other on the chin of the unconscious person. Now the head is tilted back and the chin is slightly raised. Now one holds one’s own ear close to the mouth and nose in order to hear the air that may have been expelled and to feel it against the cheek. At the same time, observe whether the chest rises and falls. This process should take no more than ten seconds. If no breathing can be detected, the rescue service should be notified immediately by dialing 112. Then immediately start chest compressions. To do this, remove or push up any clothing or jewelry that may be in the way, thus exposing the upper part of the body. For women, the brassiere may need to be removed. Then place the heel of one hand on the center of the injured person’s chest and the other heel on your own hand for support, interlacing the fingers. Now apply steady pressure with the hands on the sternum. With arms outstretched, from top to bottom, the sternum must be pressed down about five to six centimeters. Then, relieve the pressure on the upper body again, but without taking the hands off the chest. The two phases (pressure and release) should cover an equal period of time. This must now be repeated 30 times with slightly less than two compressions per second (frequency: 100 to 120 times per minute). After this, the affected person must be ventilated. The thumb and forefinger of one hand are used to close the nostrils tightly so that no air can escape. Slightly open the unconscious person’s mouth and remove any foreign bodies such as vomit or dentures. It is essential to ensure that the head is properly overlapped backwards so that the airway is really clear. Now inhale normally yourself. Then close the mouth of the injured person tightly with your own lips and blow air into it evenly for one second. At the same time, observe whether the person’s chest rises slightly to see whether ventilation is successful. Repeat the procedure a second time. Alternatively, the person’s mouth can be held shut and air blown into the body through the nose. If the person does not respond to the measures, chest compressions are continued, always at the rate of 30 compressions and 2 breaths. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation can be terminated when the ambulance arrives or the affected person shows signs of life again (breathing, movements, coughing). If breathing but unconsciousness persists, the casualty must be turned to the recovery position.
Risks, side effects, and hazards
In infants and children, the methods differ slightly. But here, too, the 30:2 rule applies. Infants (up to 1 year of age) should not be exposed to as much pressure as adults. For them, only a pressure depth of about 2 centimeters should be achieved. In addition, 5 breaths are started here first, followed by chest compressions for one minute at a rate of 30 compressions and 2 breaths. Then the emergency call is made and immediately continue cardiopulmonary resuscitation.For children (until puberty, after which they are treated as adults), the pressure should not exceed 2 to 4 centimeters. But even here, start with 5 breaths first and only then begin chest compressions (30:2). If foreign bodies or other causes make ventilation impossible, only chest compressions are performed. If there is an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) nearby, it should be used, as this greatly increases the casualty’s chances. It is very easy to use, because after switching on, all the important steps are spoken out loud by the device and they only have to be followed. The device itself decides whether it is useful to trigger an electric shock. Despite the AED, cardiac massage must be performed, because the device is not sufficient for resuscitation alone. The AED can also be used on children, unless there are no special electrodes with the device. Or there is a printed warning not to use it on children.
