Knowing CPR will help in remote Alaska

In many places in the Mat-Su, an ambulance can take more than seven to 10 minutes to arrive. There are many events that can require CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to correct. Heart attacks, drownings, electrical shock, anaphylactic shock, suffocation, drug overdose, trauma, etc. All can result in heartbeat and/or respiratory functions to cease. Knowing CPR can save a life.

This information is based on the latest advice from the American Heart Association related to CPR on adults. CPR performed for children or infants is different, and will be explained in a future column.

Many people fear CPR because of “cooties.” The most obvious concern is mouth-to-mouth breathing because of the multitudes of diseases we are aware of these days. American Heart Association suggests that if you are untrained in CPR or uncomfortable with mouth-to-mouth and you do not have a barrier mask, then provide only uninterrupted chest compressions at a rate of “one-and-two-and-three-and-four-and-one-and-two-and-three-and-four-and …” You should be pressing down on the number and allowing the cheat to rise on the “ands.” According to American Heart Association, you may choose to not perform rescue breathing on an adult. If you are choosing to perform the chest compressions only, make sure you perform all of the other skills and pass over only the breathing.

Before you begin CPR, you must attempt to wake the person. This can be done by simply asking, “Are you OK?” While asking if they are OK, tap them on the shoulder or rub on their chest with the palm of your hand. If the person does not respond, you should call 911 if a phone is available or have someone else to do it. No one is with you? Yell for someone to help and have them dial 911. Can’t find a person or a phone? Begin CPR immediately.

To remember the basics of CPR think of its ABCs: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation.

CPR For An Adult:

A: Airway

• Put the person on their back and on top of a firm surface.

• Kneel near the person’s shoulders.

• Put the palm of your hand on the person’s forehead and push gently to tilt the head backwards. With the other hand, lift the persons chin forward to open the airway.

• Use five seconds to check for breathing. Put your cheek next to the person’s mouth with your eyes facing the persons chest. Watch for the chest going up and down, listen for breath sounds, and feel for the person’s breath on your cheek .

B: Breathing

• Pinch the nostrils shut and create a seal around the person’s mouth with your mouth (note: Use a CPR mask).

• Give one rescue breath and watch to see if the chest rises. If it does, then give a second breath. If it doesn’t, then reposition the head -tilt chin- lift, repeat the rescue breath, and then the second rescue breath.

C: Circulation

• Place the heel of one hand between the person’s nipples. Then, place the other hand on top. Keep your fingers straight, but interlaced. Position your shoulders directly over the person’s chest and straighten your elbows.

• Using your upper body weight, push about 2 inches straight down. Release pressure and then quickly repeat the compress. You should give about 2 compressions per second. Repeat the compressions 30 times.

• After 30 compressions are given, tilt the head back and repeat step B. (if someone else is available they can give the breaths.)

• Once step B is completed, everything thus far is considered one cycle.

• Now you would continue and repeat step C again.

Continue repeating for five cycles.

If the person is not responsive after five cycles, then you should use an automatic external defibrillator (AED) if available. An AED has prompts that instruct you on how to use it. If you do not have an AED, then you should not stop on five cycles. Just continue giving CPR until the person reacts to you or EMTs arrive.

Important reminders:

• As a citizen who is not a trained professional responder, you will not check for a pulse. It is therefore critical that you make significant effort to see if the patient is asleep. Press hard against their chest, tap hard against their shoulder, and yell to get their attention.

• If you are uncomfortable with mouth-to-mouth breathing and you do not have a barrier to protect yourself, you may choose to perform chest compressions only. Follow all of the other steps above except for the breathing component.

• Take a CPR class as soon as possible to make sure you are completely up to date with current CPR and are able to help people the best that you can. American Heart Association, American Safety & Health Institute, and Alaska Red Cross all have local offices that coordinate CPR and first aid training.

Lt. Christian M. Hartley is a responder with the Houston Fire Department, as well the public information officer and training officer. Questions and comments are invited to hartley@myopinionmatters.org .