Which victim needs cpr

Give 30 quick, gentle compressions, pressing down about one third to one half the depth of the chest. The compression rate should be the same as for adults -- about per minute, or faster than one per second. Repeat a cycle of two breaths and 30 compressions for about two minutes before calling Continue the cycle of breathing and compressions until the baby starts breathing or help arrives.

Don't perform chest compressions if a person is breathing, coughing, or moving. His heart is already beating, and chest compressions could actually stop it. It is important, regardless of the risk of rib fractures, to perform compressions with enough force to get the heart going.

In true emergencies that require CPR, a cracked rib is usually a small price to pay for a chance at survival. The American Red Cross recommends the use of protective breathing barriers during CPR to protect the rescuer from bodily fluids such as blood, vomit, and saliva. Called "pocket masks," these barriers are either reusable or disposable, and have one-way valves that allow air into the victim but prevent the rescuer from having contact with the victim's fluids.

The chances of disease transmission during direct mouth-to-mouth rescue are very low, but if you're worried about bloodborne viruses such as HIV or Hepatitis C, keep a pocket mask at the ready in your first aid kit. Contact your local Red Cross chapter for purchasing information. American Red Cross.

CPR on a child 8 years or older or on an adult. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation CPR. Mayo Clinic. Rosen P. The use of the Heimlich maneuver in near drowning: Institute of Medicine report.

Journal of Emergency Medicine. American Heart Association. Acquire the license to the best health content in the world. CPR on an infant When performing CPR on an infant, tilt the baby's head back to open the airway, cover both the nose and mouth with your mouth, and give two gentle breaths. Nearly , U. His Daughter's Coaches Saved Him. Related articles. Remove any medication patches and watch for pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Place the electrode pad at least 1 inch away from an implantable device.

And remember, oxygen should not be used when shocks are being delivered with an AED. It is possible for oxygen to ignite if it is too close to an AED that is being used. Oxygen should be shut off and placed several feet away from the patient.

There are many different brands of AEDs, but the same basic steps apply to all of them. If the patient is unresponsive and not breathing adequately, follow these steps. Perform 5 cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths and then very briefly reassess the rhythm.

Continue as directed by the AED. AEDs may be used for children older than 1 year who have no signs of life. Always look at the pictures on the pads and place them as shown. The rescuer may also be required to insert a key or turn a switch to deliver a lower, child sized amount of electricity. CPR In this section you will learn the emergency action steps to follow to safely assess and care for a victim or patient.

Defibrillation Before attaching an AED, make sure the patient has been moved out of any freestanding water. Turn on the AED. This activates the voice prompts. Follow the voice and visual prompts. Remove the disposable electrode pads from the packaging, making sure to choose the correct ones, adult or child. Do not use child pads on an adult.

Look at the picture on the electrode that will show where to correctly place the pad. Some will prompt you to push a button to analyze. Do not touch or move patient while the AED is analyzing the heart rhythm.

If a shock is indicated, check to make sure no one is touching the patient. Push the shock button and immediately resume CPR. If no shock is indicated, immediately resume chest compressions. Legal and Ethical Aspects.

If you see someone that looks like they might need CPR, take a quick note of your surroundings. If you suspect electrical dangers, proceed with extreme caution and do not put your own life in danger. However, there are a number of medical issues that could be at play, and CPR may or may not be the appropriate response.

Breathing and pulse are the two key factors in determining if someone needs CPR or not. Learn the warning signs of heart attack, stroke, and cardiac arrest. Make every second count. Contact us or consult our FAQ if you have additional questions about CPR training, but call if you have an immediate emergency.