Pictures from our LaMesa Eco Park Picnic, April 21, 2007
Summer is almost halfway through but some of us may still have plans to go out of town or do some 'gimmicks'. I know we get so excited to enjoy and make the most out of these vacations but I hope we don't compromise safety. It is in this regard that I thought of posting a topic on 'dealing with emergency', just in case it does happen.
CPR is easier said and read than done. But, it is even harder if you don't even have any basic idea about it. I hope this will help.
Step 1. Check for consciousness.
Tap or gently shake the person and shout, “Are you okay?” If you suspect a neck or spinal injury, do not shake the person.
If the person does not respond:
Adult (age 9 and older): Call emergency services immediately (have someone else make the call if possible). Then proceed to Step 2.
Baby or child through 8 years: Check to see if the baby or child is breathing (see Step 2). If the baby or child is not breathing, give 5 cycles (a cycle is 2 breaths and 30 chest compressions) of CPR. This will take about 2 minutes. Then call 911 or emergency services. Have someone else make the call if possible.
Step 2: Check for breathing. Look, listen, and feel for normal breathing for 5 to 10 seconds.
Kneel next to the person with your head close to his or her head.
Look to see if the person's chest rises and falls.
Listen for breathing sounds, wheezing, gurgling, or snoring.
Put your cheek near the person's mouth and nose to feel whether air is moving out.
If the person does not have normal breathing (or if you cannot tell), roll the person onto his or her back. If he or she may have a spinal injury, gently roll the person's head, neck, and shoulders together as a unit until the person is on his or her back.
Step 3: Begin rescue breathing.
· Place your hand on the person's forehead, and pinch the person's nostrils shut with your thumb and forefinger. With your other hand, tilt the chin upward to keep the airway open.
· Take a normal breath, and place your mouth over the person's mouth, making a tight seal. For a baby, place your mouth over the baby's mouth and nose. Give a breath for 1 second and watch to see if his or her chest rises.
· If the first breath does not go in, try tilting the person's head again, and give another breath.
· Between rescue breaths, remove your mouth from the person's mouth, and take a normal breath. Allow the person's chest to fall, and feel the air escape.
· After giving 2 rescue breaths, begin chest compressions
Step 4: Begin chest compressions.
Adults (age 9 and older):
· Kneel next to the person. Use your fingers to locate the end of the person's breastbone (sternum), where the ribs come together. Place two fingers at the tip of the person's sternum. Place the heel of the other hand directly above your fingers (on the side closest to the person's face).
Positioning your hands for chest compressions:
· Place your other hand on top of the one that you just put in position. Lock the fingers of both hands together, and raise the fingers so they do not touch the person's chest.
· Straighten your arms, lock your elbows, and center your shoulders directly over your hands.
Positioning your arms and body for doing chest compressions:
· Press down in a steady rhythm, using your body weight and keeping your elbows locked. The force from each thrust should go straight down onto the sternum, compressing it 1.5 in. (3.8 cm) to 2 in. (5 cm). It may help to count "one and two and three and four...," giving 1 downward thrust each time you say a number. Lift your weight, but not your hands, from the person's chest each time you say “and.” Give 30 compressions.
· After 30 compressions, give 2 rescue breaths.
· Repeat the 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths cycle until help arrives or until the person breathes, coughs, or moves.
Child (age 1 through 8 years):
· Use the heel of one hand or two hands as in adult CPR, depending on the size of the child. Place your hands two fingers'-width above the tip of the sternum. Press the sternum down one-third to one-half of the depth of the child's chest.
· Give 30 chest compressions. Then give 2 rescue breaths. Repeat the 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths cycle until help arrives or until the child breathes normally, coughs, or moves.
Baby (younger than 1 year):
· Place two fingers on the baby's sternum, about one finger-width below an imaginary line connecting the nipples. Press the sternum down one-third to one-half of the depth of the baby's chest.
· Give 30 chest compressions. Then give 2 rescue breaths. Repeat the 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths cycle until help arrives or until the baby breathes normally, coughs, or moves.
Article by Katy E. Magee,MA; Healthwise Incorporated, 2005.
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