Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation in First Aid

This training program focuses on CPR and defibrillation, hosted by Paramedical Services, a registered organization offering nationally accredited courses. It is an essential part of the HLT AID1 course for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as well as HLT AID3 for first aid and HLT AID4 for emergency first aid.

The session covers legal issues related to first aid, emphasizing the importance of understanding anatomy for effective CPR and defibrillation. It highlights differences in procedures between adults and infants or children. The chain of survival is introduced as a critical component integrated into the DRS ABCD approach when managing cardiac arrest or other emergencies.

Legal considerations in first aid include obtaining consent, duty of care, negligence, confidentiality, and respect for cultural beliefs. Consent is necessary before providing medical assistance; minors require parental or guardian approval unless implied consent applies due to unconsciousness. Duty of care obligates individuals to assist those who are ill or injured while ensuring they receive proper help. Negligence occurs when someone fails to provide adequate care based on their training and responsibilities. Confidentiality must be maintained regarding patient information unless shared with authorized caregivers; respecting diverse cultural backgrounds is essential during treatment.

Understanding anatomy is essential for treating individuals with respect and integrity. This overview will provide insights into the human body, emphasizing its complexity and importance in healthcare practices.

The upper airway includes the nose, mouth, tongue, and throat. The tongue is a common cause of obstruction due to its size and position; however, it cannot be swallowed as often believed. Instead of placing objects in an unconscious person's mouth during seizures or loss of consciousness—which can worsen the situation—proper head-tilting maneuvers should be used to clear obstructions caused by a relaxed tongue blocking airflow. When breathing occurs, air travels through the nose and mouth into the windpipe while avoiding entry into the esophagus thanks to protective mechanisms like the epiglottis.

The lower airway functions to protect the windpipe from choking during eating. It consists of the windpipe, two lungs (left and right), and bronchi that branch out into smaller passages within the lungs. These branches lead to tiny air sacs called alveoli at the lung's base, where oxygen exchange occurs after inhalation.

Interconnectedness of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems The cardiovascular system is essential for transporting oxygen-rich blood throughout the body and removing carbon dioxide. Blood travels from the heart through arteries to capillaries, where gas exchange occurs at a cellular level. An adult has about 5-6 liters of blood, while infants have significantly less; this makes them more vulnerable to blood loss during injuries. The circulatory and respiratory systems work closely together: when one fails, it quickly affects the other.

Unique Physiological Considerations for Pediatric Emergencies Children's physiological differences compared to adults necessitate special considerations in emergencies. Their heads are proportionately larger relative to their bodies, airways are narrower and less stable, making airway management critical. Children also possess flexible chest walls that provide less protection for internal organs; thus they face higher risks of injury in trauma situations. Additionally, children's skin characteristics lead to increased susceptibility to temperature regulation issues like hypothermia or hyperthermia as well as dehydration due to their greater surface area-to-mass ratio.

Basic life support (BLS) is essential for all age groups, particularly infants and children who have different anatomical and physiological needs compared to adults. Understanding these differences is crucial when administering aid. BLS can be performed by anyone trained as a first aider or layperson, emphasizing the importance of accessible training in emergency situations.

The Chain of Survival is crucial for increasing the survival rates of cardiac arrest victims, with over 95% dying before reaching a hospital. However, when trained individuals follow DRS ABCD protocols and strengthen each link in this chain, survival chances can rise to 40%. The first link involves early access by contacting emergency services immediately upon recognizing cardiac arrest. Next is initiating CPR promptly; quicker action significantly boosts survival odds. Early defibrillation follows as an essential step—applying shocks from a defibrillator enhances recovery potential dramatically. Finally, advanced life support (ALS) provided by trained professionals like paramedics or doctors plays a vital role in patient outcomes.

The DRS ABCD approach is essential for medical professionals during emergencies, emphasizing safety first by assessing danger at the scene. Next, checking the patient's response helps gauge their level of consciousness. Promptly sending for help ensures that assistance arrives quickly to avoid prolonged isolation in critical situations. Maintaining a clear airway is crucial for adequate breathing, followed by initiating compressions if necessary since they support heart function when breathing fails. Finally, defibrillation becomes vital in cases of cardiac arrest to restore normal heart rhythm and enhance survival chances.

The DRS ABCD principles should be applied immediately in cases of unconsciousness or life-threatening emergencies. The Australian and New Zealand Resuscitation Council provides useful posters that outline these processes, which can be printed for easy reference. It's essential to have this information accessible in workplaces or childcare facilities to ensure preparedness during critical situations.

Understanding the DRS ABCD framework begins with recognizing potential dangers in any environment. The 'D' for danger emphasizes that your safety is paramount; if you become a casualty, you cannot assist others. Assessing surroundings—like animals, electrical hazards, or obstacles—is crucial before approaching anyone needing help. If risks are present and unmanageable, it's essential to call for professional assistance instead of putting yourself at risk.

When managing a patient, prioritize personal safety by using gloves to protect against biological hazards. If gloves are unavailable and contact with blood occurs, wash hands immediately and report the incident for potential medical attention. Utilize protective devices like pocket masks during resuscitation to avoid exposure to bodily fluids. For assessing responsiveness in adults and children, use the touch-and-talk technique; if unresponsive, apply gentle pressure on their shoulders or utilize light stimuli for infants without causing harm.

In an emergency, if a person is unresponsive to stimuli or in a life-threatening situation, it's crucial to call for help immediately. In Australia, the emergency number is triple zero (000). Prompt action can be vital for the casualty's survival and recovery.

To assess and open an adult's airway, perform a head tilt chin lift by placing one hand on the forehead to tilt the head back while lifting the chin with the other hand. This maneuver lifts the tongue off of its resting position at the back of throat, allowing air to flow into lungs. For infants, their larger heads naturally fall into a sniffing position when lying flat; thus no additional tilting is needed. Children require varying degrees of head tilts based on size—gentle for toddlers and more pronounced for older children.

To assess breathing obstructions, observe the chest and abdomen for movement, listen near the mouth and nose for airflow, and feel air against your cheek or ear. Ensure that the airway is open using a head tilt chin lift to facilitate proper listening; without this step, no air movement will be detected. If normal breathing occurs, place the patient in a recovery position while monitoring them until help arrives. For inadequate or absent breaths, initiate CPR immediately. To perform the hands position safely: kneel beside the patient with their far arm raised alongside their head; cross their nearest arm over their chest before lifting up their closest knee to roll them onto their side securely.

Inadequate breathing necessitates immediate CPR, as gasping breaths are insufficient for sustaining life. Early initiation of CPR and compressions significantly increases survival chances. For adults, use two hands on the lower sternum; for children, one or two hands depending on size; and for infants, only two fingers should be used due to their flexible rib cage. The compression depth must reach one-third of the chest's depth across all age groups with a consistent ratio of 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.

Effective CPR involves performing five cycles of 30 compressions followed by two breaths per minute. For adults, use both hands on the mid to lower sternum; for children, one hand is sufficient while they are in a sniffing position. Infants require only two fingers placed on the lower half of the sternum for compressions. If vomiting occurs during CPR, immediately stop compressions and roll the patient onto their side to clear their airway using your fingers.

When performing CPR on a pregnant woman, especially in later stages of pregnancy, it's crucial to elevate her right hip with a wedge or pillow. This adjustment alleviates pressure from the major blood vessels caused by the baby’s weight, enhancing circulation and increasing survival chances. In drowning cases, prolonged resuscitation may be necessary due to fluid-filled lungs; ensuring proper airway clearance is vital before starting CPR. It's essential to know when to stop: if danger arises at the scene, if signs of life appear in the casualty such as normal breathing or movement, or if exhaustion prevents continuation without assistance.

In cases of cardiac arrest, immediate defibrillation is critical after initiating CPR. While CPR maintains circulation and ventilation, early defibrillation significantly increases the chances of survival. Each minute that passes without defibrillation reduces the likelihood of recovery by about 10%. After ten minutes without intervention, a patient's chance of survival drops to nearly zero.

Sudden cardiac arrest affects over 50,000 Australians annually, with cardiovascular disease claiming a life every 12 minutes. A staggering 75% of these incidents occur outside hospitals, leading to a survival rate below 3%. Approximately 140 Australians die each day from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. This highlights the urgent need for increased CPR training and greater access to defibrillators in workplaces and communities.

Understanding Heart Rhythms During Cardiac Arrest Normal heart rhythms are consistent and regular, while cardiac arrest can present as either shockable or non-shockable rhythms. Shockable rhythms like ventricular fibrillation (VF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) can be treated with a defibrillator to restore normal rhythm. If treatment is delayed, the heart may enter a non-shockable rhythm known as flatlining, indicating no electrical activity in the heart.

The Role of Defibrillators in Emergency Response Defibrillation involves delivering an electrical shock to correct uncoordinated heart rhythms during cardiac arrest when the patient is unconscious and not breathing adequately. The device analyzes the patient's condition before advising whether a shock should be administered; it only treats those in true cardiac arrest situations—not conscious patients or those experiencing a heart attack. Special care must be taken with children under 25 kg or age eight due to differing pad specifications for safe use.

When using an AED on a child or infant, ensure the device is only connected if the patient is in cardiac arrest. Avoid placing pads over pacemakers or nitroglycerin patches; remove any obstructive patches with gloved hands. Do not touch the patient during shock delivery to prevent electric shock and interference with heart rhythm. If water surrounds the patient, dry their chest before applying pads for proper adhesion, and clear away jewelry and excessive hair as needed.

Proper placement of defibrillator pads is crucial for effective use. For adults, one pad goes under the right collarbone and another on the left side near the underarm. In smaller children or infants, utilize a front-and-back technique: place one pad on their chest and another between their shoulder blades to ensure electrical shock passes through effectively. Always keep pads in place until emergency services arrive; they will replace them if necessary as each set is single-use only.

After an incident, it's crucial to clean the accident site and ensure personal hygiene by washing hands. Restocking first aid supplies is necessary, along with reporting the incident while maintaining confidentiality. Engaging in a conversation with supervisors helps clarify details of the event for both parties' understanding and well-being. Recognizing stress management techniques is vital; individuals may exhibit behavioral changes such as fatigue or mood swings post-incident. Offering support through conversation can be beneficial, but if someone requires more help, it’s important to guide them towards professional assistance.

Basic life support involves a systematic approach known as the DRS ABCD action plan. First, ensure the scene is safe before checking for responsiveness using touch and talk techniques or painful stimuli if necessary. If unresponsive, call for help and open the airway with head tilt chin lift while checking for obstructions. Assess breathing; if absent or inadequate, initiate CPR with 30 compressions followed by two rescue breaths and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) promptly.