Chain of Survival, CPR and the Use of a Defibrillator

18 people will die today from out of hospital cardiac arrest, while one young person under the age of 35 will die every week form SADS (sudden Adult Death Syndrome)

In this column Aiden will discuss the chain of survival, CPR and the use of a defibrillator.

Last week we discussed the importance of keeping ourselves safe and calling for help when in doubt.

We also talked about the ABC’s of life... Airway, Breathing and Circulation.

When we have a casualty who is unconscious and has stopped breathing we always try to put into action the chain of survival. This simple set of procedures will maximise the casualties’ chances of survival.

The first link is to ensure we call for help. The quicker an ambulance arrives the better.

The second link is that someone commences CPR. This buys times and keeps the casualty’s body oxygenated.

The third link is early use of a defibrillator. The quicker we can achieve this, the more chance the casualty has of surviving!

The final link is advanced care in a hospital.

Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation

Ensure you are safe, and assess the casualty. Do they respond to your voice or if you inflict pain?

If not, ring for help straight away. Inform the operator your casualty is unresponsive. (Link 1 complete).

Open up the airway and look for any obstructions.

Look, listen and feel for breathing for 10 seconds. If breathing is absent you must give 2 breaths that make the chest rise and commence CPR.

Place your hands in the center of the breastbone and push the breastbone down about 2 inches 30 times. Try to keep a steady rate and done be afraid you are hurting the casualty.

After every set of compressions give 2 breaths. Keep going until the casualty shows signs of life or more professional help arrive. (Link 2 complete)

Defibrillation

When our heart beats, it does so by an electrical impulse that causes the heart muscle to contract and relax.

A defibrillator is a machine that reads the electrical impulse in the heart muscle and it decides if the heart is still in a shockable rhythm or not.

If a defibrillator is present where the casualty collapses then get it onto the casualty as soon as possible.

Take the machine out of the bag and switch it on first.

Place the 2 sticky pads onto the casualty’s bare chest and move everyone back. Follow the diagrams on the pads to make sure they are in the correct position. The machine will tell you that it is analyzing the casualty’s heart. You are not allowed to touch the casualty while the machine analyzes. The machine is now scanning for this electrical impulse and is very sensitive.

The defibrillator will say “shock advised” or “no shock advised”. If it says shock advised keep everyone back and when the shock button illuminates, ensure everyone is clear and press the button. Once a shock has been delivered the machine will tell you to commence 2 minutes of CPR.

If there is no shock advised, then commence 2 minutes of CPR. Follow the prompts from the machine. Keep going until the casualty is revived or more professional help arrives. Follow the prompts from the machine at all times. (Link 3 complete)

When the ambulance crew arrives they will take control of the situation and transport the casualty to hospital where the casualty will receive more advanced care. (Link 4 complete)

Next week we will discuss the recovery position and how to treat the choking casualty.

If you have found this article informative or would like to do a first aid course in your area why not log onto Aiden’s website www.firstaidplus.ie for details of courses available for you!