Learning Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is an excellent way to provide yourself with the skills needed to help in an emergency. In this blog post, let’s answer the question: what does CPR do? We will also discuss some of the most common mistakes people make when they perform CPR. We’ll also provide tips on avoiding these mistakes and ensuring you provide the best care for someone in need.
What is CPR?
When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, their heart stops beating, and they may become unconscious. CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is a lifesaving technique. How does CPR work? This technique can help to restart the heart and restore breathing with chest compressions and rescue breaths. It is essential to do this while waiting for an ambulance or a healthcare provider. The recommended ratio for chest compressions to rescue breaths – otherwise known as the compression-to-ventilation ratio – is 30:2, which means that for every 30 compressions, you should give two rescue breaths.
However, if you are not trained in CPR or if you are unsure of the CPR ratio, it is better to give chest compression-only CPR. Chest compressions should be performed at 100-120 per minute. In our current condition during the COVID-19 pandemic, rescue breaths are optional, and we must consider ethical factors first.
How Many Chest Compressions Should be Given in CPR?
Everyone must know how to perform CPR in case of an emergency. As you read further, you will know how many compressions are needed and how they are performed depending on whether the patient is an infant, child, or adult. What is the correct compression point for effective chest compressions on an adult, child, or infant? This will also be covered, as delivering CPR to adults differs from children and infants.
CPR and Compressions on Infants (0-12 months)
Which is the correct technique used about how you perform CPR on an infant? The Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) recommends using the DRSABCD action plan.
According to multiple resources’ first aid fact sheets, CPR consists of 2 techniques – 30 chest compressions and two mouth-to-mouth breaths. How many cycles of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths should you complete every 2 minutes? Aim for five sets of 30 chest compressions to 2 breaths in about 2 minutes.
How long do you do CPR for? For the best results, CPR should be delivered up to 16 to 24 minutes after cardiac arrest. It should continue until the person is revived or until medical help arrives.
Before Starting a Baby CPR
It’s essential to check if the surroundings are safe to do an infant CPR.
- Check the area and see if there is danger to you and the baby
- See if the baby responds by talking loudly and squeezing their shoulders
- Call 000 for an ambulance if the infant is not responding or breathing abnormally
Check the Airway through the Baby’s Mouth
The next step is to check if the child’s mouth contains anything obstructing the airway.
- Put the baby on a firm surface.
- Check the infant’s mouth for airway obstructions such as food, vomit, or blood.
- Check their breathing by looking at the movement of the baby’s chest (such as chest rise), listening for breathing sounds, and feeling for breath on your cheek.
- Please put them in a recovery position on their side with the infant’s head tilted down.
- Continue monitoring the baby’s breathing and responses while waiting for a representative from St John Ambulance Australia who may bring them to a children’s hospital.
Chest Compression Steps for Infants
Here are five steps of CPR that are important to do when delivering chest compressions for infants. You may need to use the palm of your hand instead of your fingers, depending on the size of your baby.
- Lie your baby on their back.
- Place two fingers on the lower half of your baby’s breastbone (in the middle of their chest).
- Press down with your fingers (or palm for babies over 6 months) to about a third of the depth of the chest, then release to the rest position. This is the recommended depth of chest compressions for infants.
- This counts as one compression.
- If the chest does not rise and there are no signs of life, recheck the mouth for any obstructions. Then, ensure there is a good seal around the mouth and nose.
Child CPR and Compression
Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) also recommends using DRSABCD.
CPR consists of 2 techniques – 30 chest compressions and two mouth-to-mouth breaths.
Aim for five sets of 30 chest compressions to 2 breaths in about 2 minutes.
Chest Compression Steps for Children
Infants and children have the same number of compression and rescue breaths BUT different compression steps.
- Lie your child on their back. Kneel beside them.
- The hand position of CPR for children is as follows: place the heel of one hand on the lower half of your child’s breastbone (in the middle of their chest).
- Position yourself above your child’s chest.
- Keep your arm straight and press down on the chest. When compressing the chest of a child casualty during CPR, it should be compressed to a third or half the depth of the chest, then release the pressure.
CPR and Compression on Adults
Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) also recommends using DRSABCD.
CPR consists of 2 techniques – 30 chest compressions and two mouth-to-mouth breaths.
Aim for five sets of 30 chest compressions to 2 breaths in about 2 minutes. If you can’t do mouth-to-mouth, stick with continuous compressions at a rate of approximately 100 per minute.
Chest Compression Steps for Adults
- Place the heel of one hand on the lower half of the person’s breastbone (in the middle of their chest).
- Place your other hand on top of your bottom hand and grasp your wrist. Depending on what feels comfortable, you may like to interlock your fingers.
- Keep your arms straight and press down on your chest by one-third of their chest depth. This is the CPR compression depth for adults.
Release the pressure – this counts as one compression.
Popular tunes can help keep the rhythm of compressions. To keep the correct rhythm of compressions, you may like to use these popular songs:
- ‘Staying Alive’ by the Bee Gees
- ‘Row, row, row, your boat’
- ‘Baby shark’
In some cases, two-person CPR can occur. In this type, two people focus on one task while delivering CPR. One person focuses on chest compressions, while the other focuses on giving rescue breaths.
Rescue Breaths for Infants, Children and Adults
Rescue breaths for infants, children, and adults are two mouth-to-mouth for every 30 chest compressions. The Red Cross Organisation states that it is done by placing newborns and children in a neutral position using the head-tilt/infant’s chin-lift technique.
However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be optional depending on the assessment and ethical considerations. We have the guidance for performing breathing assessments and rescue breaths for infants, children, and adults.
What are the Common Mistakes to Avoid in Performing CPR Compressions?
When performing CPR, primarily paediatric CPR, you must be aware of the common mistakes to prevent and help someone correctly. Here’s a list of CPR guidelines to watch out for:
Applying Less Pressure
We don’t want to hurt anyone, but many of us struggle to apply the right amount of pressure to this part of the body. However, this frequently occurs, which ultimately has minimal impact on someone who is having a cardiac arrest. Keep up the right pace and use the correct pressure (depth at least 2 inches). This depth is called the compression point for CPR. A bender, a rocker, a bouncer, a massager, or a double-crosser is also a no-no.
Forming Hands Incorrectly
Hands are essential in CPR. The way you position your hand significantly affects its effectiveness. Do not separate your hands during CPR, as this will lessen the force and prevent you from providing the proper pressure. Keep your hands on each other, with the top hand’s fingers interlaced with the bottom ones, so you apply direct pressure to the centre of the chest without losing your grip.
Failure to Call the Emergency Hotline
Calling for help should always be your priority. Performing CPR is one thing, but finding further help is another. It can be challenging to remain calm in emergencies, especially if you give CPR. If you don’t ask for assistance, the ambulance won’t come. People requiring CPR require additional medical care, so you should notify the appropriate authorities immediately.
Failing to Use a Defibrillator
Most public places have an automated external defibrillator (AED) with a paediatric capability available, which is helpful in significantly improving the heart’s rhythm. However, people miss the opportunity to use the device due to their lack of familiarity with and knowledge of how to use it. This is why the content of first aid training and related life support training courses includes its proper usage through a step-by-step guide.
This device benefits adults, but multiple resources warn against using it on children under 1 year of age.
Can I Enroll in a CPR Course in Brisbane?
CPR First Aid is glad to offer that in Brisbane, Australia,
HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation is available. The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)-regulates this first aid course provider. It also has first aid training centres in Victoria, NSW, Western and South Australia. The organisation’s website contains information on the costs, course details, and other terms.
What is the 
HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation First Aid Course?
The CPR training provides the skills and knowledge required to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) according to the current CPR guidelines—the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) Guidelines. This CPR update course is the most recent version of what is often referred to as the CPR Update or CPR Refresher. It includes the usage of the AED and its contents (central unit, pediatric pads, wires, and buttons/controls).
Conclusion
Identifying mistakes to avoid in CPR is also vital to learning it. CPR can save lives in a variety of circumstances, particularly cardiac arrest. After all, some situations call for a quick solution and cannot wait for an ambulance or a doctor. Applying less pressure, forming hands incorrectly and failing to call emergency hotlines are common, and if corrected, CPR would be effective and save lives! Be sure to follow the CPR instructions discussed for the best possible outcome.