Online CPR Class - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

With an online CPR class like this one, you can make a difference to someones life. All you have to do is learn CPR, with easy to follow instructions. A CPR video will accompany this tutorial, so you should feel a little more confident in using CPR in the event of a accident or heart attack occurring in your presence. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is the full name for CPR, but I will be using the shortened version for most of this online CPR class.

The steps, and instructions I am about to tell you, will help in any situation where the casualty has stopped breathing. So lets get on with the lesson at hand.

Before approaching the casualty, you must make sure that there are no dangers. If the casualty has been involved in a road accident, make sure there is no traffic which could harm you. In the event of an electrocution, check the casualty has no electric going to them. Remember you are the most important person at this time, as you are the only one who can save this persons life. Whenever possible the casualty should be treated on the spot.

Step two

Is the casualty responding from you shaking their shoulder and asking very loudly if they are OK? If they are unconscious, they will not respond. If they do respond, you need take no further action but to try and find out what has happened and reassess them often.

Step three

If someone is with you, make sure they stay nearby in case you need help. If you are alone, shout for help, and try to attract someones attention. Do not leave the casualty at this stage in the process.

Step four

Your casualty has not responded, so now you must check to see that the airways are open. Turn the casualty on their back and tilt the head back. Lift the chin in an upwards motion whilst pulling the mouth slightly open. The airway needs to be open to allow oxygen into the lungs. By using this system you will also ensure the tongue is drawn away from the back of the throat. If you suspect a neck or head injury avoid tilting the head, but still lift the chin slightly to open the airways.

Check if the casualty is breathing, by placing your ear near to their mouth. Listen, look for chest movement, and feel for air on your face. Check for 10 seconds, as the casualty may take longer than normal to breath in. If you are on your own and the casualty is not breathing you have to find some way to ring 999, or 112, and this may involve you leaving them.

Step six

Now you need to start CPR by placing the heel of one hand in the middle of the casualties chest. Now place the heel of the other hand over the top of the first hand. By interlocking the fingers of your hands you will have a good grip. Be careful not to apply pressure to the ribs, upper abdomen, or the bottom end of the breast bone.

Press down one to two inches with your body right over the casualty, and your arms straight. You will need to do two compressions per second and repeat this 30 times. After giving 30 compressions tilt the head back, lift the chin, pinch the soft part of the nose, and give two breaths. Blow steadily into the mouth whilst watching for the chest to rise. Take your mouth away and watch the chest fall before giving the second breath. Return immediately to chest compressions.

If you are fortunate enough to have someone else with you, ask them to take over every few minutes so you can rest. You will find this very tiring, but keep going until the emergency support arrives.

Mouth to mouth resuscitation can in rare cases cause infection to the rescuer. HIV, or the AIDS virus has never been reported in the use of resuscitation. If you are reluctant to give mouth to mouth then you must continually give CPR, unless the casualty shows signs of breathing. It is worth knowing that a casualty who has sustained a heart attack is unlikely to be revived, but the CPR will keep the heart pumping, so keep going for as long as is physically possible. Studies show that CPR is just as effective in the first few minutes after a heart attack, and people have survived after 45 minutes or more.

You can use mouth to nose if the casualty has injuries around the mouth, and the same procedure can be used.

I hope my online CPR class has given you a little more confidence, and hope the CPR instructions and video will save someones life in the unlikely event you may have to use it.