Are you curious about how to be adequately prepared for emergencies at home or at work? Do you want to know what some of the most common things that people do to decrease a victim of cardiac arrest’s chances of survival are? Read below and share with a family member or friend!
1. You want to send someone to call 911 and find an AED as soon as possible! Chest compressions become tiring quickly, so having EMS come to the scene shortly after you initiate CPR is ideal! They have defibrillators, more staff to give compressions, and know the quickest way to the hospital!
2. Chest compressions on an adult should be between 2-2.2 inches in depth! Weak compressions don’t help the blood circulate as well as it needs to in order to reach the brain and other vital organs. Also allowing the chest to recoil helps the heart to refill with blood and leads to better circulation.
3. Rescue breaths should be given in a ratio of 30 compressions: 2 breaths with adults! A barrier device is ideal, but not always readily available. Keychain pocket masks are made for situations like these! They can be found here. Breaths should be given until you can visually see the chest rise.
4. Chest compressions should be performed in tune with the song “Stayin’ Alive” or 100-120 beats per minute. A metronome app on your phone can give you a good idea on how fast this is.
5. Every time you pause to give rescue breaths or attach AED pads should be <10 seconds. Waiting too long to resume chest compressions can make it take longer to get to a satisfactory circulatory flow when compressions are resumed (which reduces the victim’s odds of surviving).
Want to learn more? Book a class here. Keep your family members and friends safe!
