The main objective of doing a CPR is to supply the brain with oxygen when the heart has stopped pumping. Studies have shown that if the brain is deprived of oxygen for at least 4 minutes, brain cells start to die and this is irrecoverable.
BEFORE STARTING CPR, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CALL THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE.
Firstly, position yourself properly next to the casualty at the level of his heart.
Then, with your middle finger, from the cavity more precisely at the start of the chest at the top slide down till you feel a cavity at the level of the sternum that is the end point of the rib cage.
From the sternum, place your hand, two fingers above it and slightly to the left.
Position your hands as shown in the video and your shoulders should be aligned with your hands.
Begin the compression.
Usually, the compression for adult is done with two hands,
Compression for a child is done with one hand
and that for a baby is done with two fingers and at the level of the nipples.
The compression should be in a cycle of 4 in one minute.
The CPR comprises of 30 compressions and 2 mouth to mouth.
To effectively make the mouth to mouth, close the nose of the person, then place your lips on the lips of the person so that it is seal that is there is no space for air to escape. Then, start pushing in air. REMEMBER TO INHALE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN BEFORE DOING THE MOUTH TO MOUTH.
For a baby or a drowning person, start the CPR by giving 5 rescue breaths (mouth to mouth) first.
Continue CPR until medical assistance arrives or the person starts breathing or if there are other first aiders, each can take over after intervals of 2 minutes.
If an AED is available use the AED only, stop the CPR once AED orders you to stop as the AED will do the CPR then.
