Important Tips to Know when Performing CPR

In 2010, the American Heart Association released a new set of guidelines replacing it’s well known method of Airway, Breathing, Chest Compressions.    The new and improved method is now CAB, or Chest, Airway, Breathing.  Understanding the basics of CPR is clearly not enough to save lives; there are many other important steps necessary to perform a successful resuscitation.

First, you need to place your hands on the patient’s chest above the sternum.  Always remember to put your hands an inch above the xiphoid process (the bony protrusion at the end of the sternum) or for a quicker yet definite hand position, follow the nipple line.

Secondly, make sure your compressions are deep and fast enough.  Each compression should be at least 1 ½” deep and at about 90-100 compressions per minute.  A good way to determine if you’re don’t chest compression fast enough is to sing a fast paced song while performing CPR.  This will help you maintain a solid pace.  When providing chest compressions, make sure your elbows are in an angle that allows you to press firmly down on the chest.  When your elbows are at an angle your thrust power is often loss in your elbows.

Next, perform full breath mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.  Many of us are resistant to performing mouth-to-mouth for medical concerns, but you can use a shirt or other barrier that allows air to transfer to protect yourself from germs.

Last and most importantly, the first thing you should do after accessing the patient’s status is to call for emergency services to arrive on the scene. Do not forget to call for help and use existing medical equipment’s like AEDs – aside from performing CPR in the correct way, calling for help will ensure high survival rates via paramedics. AEDs should also be used prior to performing CPR as this life saving device will tell you what to do next. AEDs are also essential to deliver the right amount of electrical impulse needed for the heart to function once again.

Using these life saving tips will help you save a life of maybe someone you know.  Besides performing CPR, the next best device you can use is a Philips Onsite AED along with aed pads and aed batteries.