How to do CPR

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Knowing the basics of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation means you could help to save a life in a medical emergency. When you know how to do CPR you gain the power to keep blood and oxygen flowing through their bodies and to the brain even when their heart cannot do the job properly.

If you already have a level 1 first aid qualification, you might have undertaken a CPR component, but it’s worth noting that CPR qualifications need to be refreshed every 12 months to remain current.

Everyone can benefit from CPR training, and while these CPR steps are useful to get familiar with the procedure, learning how to do CPR is an essential life (and life-saving) skill.

You might have heard of DRSABCD as a first aid action plan. These letters form the acronym to act as a reminder of how to do CPR and the order of the steps involved.

When you are required to perform CPR, these seven steps should be on your checklist.

Danger — Is there any danger to you or other people? Check that the area around you is safe for you and the patient to remain there.
Response — Is the person responsive? Ask them their name or see if they respond to touch. If they do respond, continue to check for injury, keep speaking to them and monitor their response and the situation.
Send for help — If the person was not responsive, call 000 immediately.
Airway — Check the person’s airway (mouth and nose) and remove any potential obstructions. Tilt the person’s head back by lifting their chin to open the airway.
Breathing — Is the person breathing? Is the breathing normal or gasping or wheezing? If the person is not breathing normally, commence CPR.
CPR — Thirty chest compressions followed by two breaths and repeat. CPR should continue until help arrives or the patient becomes responsive and breathes normally.
Defibrillate — If available, attach an automated external defibrillator (AED) and follow the voice prompts.