CPR & Unconsciousness
Incident Management
Scene Management - Check safety for you, others and the casualty.
Check your approach route for any hazards.
What are the Mechanisms of the Injury or Nature of the Illness.
Carry out a Primary Survey.
Assess and stabilise the ABCs (see below).
Carry out a Secondary Survey.
Obtain a History.
Physical Exam.
Monitor and record vital signs.
Ongoing treatment and triage.
Dynamic Risk Assessment.
Primary Survey
C - Catastrophic Haemorrhage.
A - Airway: Look in mouth, clear obstructions, head tilt & chin lift.
B - Breathing: Look, listen, feel (for 10 seconds).
C - Circulation: Colour, capillary refill, pulse.
D - Disability: If casualty is unconscious and has no suspected spinal injury, place in the Recovery Position.
E - Environment: Consider exposure, temperature.
CPR
If casualty is not breathing, carry out CPR.
If you have access to an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), switch it on and follow the instructions. These are often located on the outside or in the reception area of public buildings. Emergency Services (999) will be able to provide the key code to open the cabinet.
Place casualty on their back facing upwards.
Place heel of your hand on their breastbone.
Position yourself with shoulders above hands.
Deliver 30 compressions:
Press straight down 5-6 cm then release.
Repeat at 2 per second for 30 compressions.
Deliver 2 breaths:
Pinch casualty’s nose, breathe into their mouth.
2 breaths of 1 second each.
Repeat until help arrives, you are exhausted or in danger, or casualty starts to regain consciousness.
Levels of Unconsciousness
A – Alert
V – Respond to Verbal Stimulus
P – Respond to Painful Stimulus
U - Unresponsive