CPR ( Cardiopulmonary resuscitation )  is used in an emergency if someone is not breathing normally, or their heart has stopped. This combination of techniques is used:

• chest compressions
• rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth).

CPR helps to keep the blood circulating and delivers oxygen to the body until specialist treatment is available. There is usually enough oxygen still in the blood to stay the brain and other organs alive supported for some minutes, but it’s not circulating unless someone does CPR.

Knowing basic emergency first aid and CPR is very important – it can be life-saving.  Even though there is no guarantee that someone will survive from being given CPR, it will give them a chance when otherwise there would have been none.

If we don’t do CPR, it only takes a few minutes for someone’s brain to become injured due to a lack of oxygen.

If you were afraid to do CPR or unsure how to perform CPR correctly, know that it’s always better to try than to do nothing at all. The difference between doing something and doing nothing is if do sometimes it can save someone’s life.

Before performing CPR use the following preparation steps:

Step 1. Call 000

First, check the scene for factors that could put you in danger, such as traffic, fire, or falling brick. Next, check the person who needs help? Tap their shoulder and shout, “Are you OK?”

If they are not responding, call 000 or ask a bystander to call 000 before performing CPR. If possible, ask a person to go and search for an AED machine. We can find these in offices and many other public buildings. 

Step 2. Place the person on their back and open their mouth to breath

Place the person carefully on their back and kneel beside their chest and tilt their head back slightly by lifting their chin.

Open their mouth and check if there are any obstructions, such as food. Remove the obstruction if it is loose. If it is not loose, trying to grasp it may push it further into the airway.

Step 3. Check for breathing

Place your ear next to the person’s mouth and listen for not more than 10 seconds. If you do not hear breathing, or you only hear irregular gasps, begin to give CPR.

If someone is unconscious but still breathing, do not do CPR. Instead, if they do not seem to have a spinal injury, then place them in the recovery position. Keep monitoring their breathing and give CPR only if they stop breathing.

CPR steps

Use the following steps to perform CPR:

Step 4. Perform 30 chest compressions

Place one of your hands on top of the other and press them together. With the straight elbows and heel of the hands, push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

Push at least 2 inches deep and compress their chest at least 100 times in a minute. Let the chest rise fully between compressions.

Step 5. Perform two rescue breaths

Make sure their mouth is clear, move the head back slightly and lift their chin. Close their nose, place your mouth fully over theirs, and blow to make their chest rise.

If their chest does not rise with in the first breath, tilt their head. If their chest still does not rise with the second breath, the person might have choked.

Step 6. Repeat

Repeat the cycle of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until the person starts breathing or an ambulance arrives. If the AED arrives, do not stop performing CPR until the machine is set up and ready to use.

 

In Some cases, people have broken their ribs by chest compressions. If this occurs, pause the CPR and reposition your hands before continuing or get someone else to take over.

Workplace safety is vital for any business. Many companies are now training employees in CPR to ensure help is available in the office if a Sudden Cardiac Arrest should occur. When workers have First Aid and CPR training, they can help to reduce workplace accidents and can even save lives at work. Investing in First Aid training for employees can show the workers that the company cares about their health and well-being. 

Companies that do not invest in the safety and health of the employe. Apart from compromising the satisfaction of your employees, a negative brand reputation can also harm your employer’s branding and talent asset. Such unfair employee treatment can also affect your overall brand image in the general public and prevent customers from buying from you.

Consider a first aid course to learn To Give Proper CPR and basic First Aid

If there is an emergency, knowing simple first aid can bring life from death. Consider taking a first aid course. CPR can be a life-saving first aid it increases someone’s chances of survival until an ambulance arrives. 

CPR training courses are available across Australia. A course typically takes a couple of hours and can be taken online or from a person. Times are also flexible. 

Participants learn basic first aid skills (including CPR) and usually have a certificate. Follow-up refresher courses are recommended every 3 years.