CPR stands for Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation. It’s a medical procedure that aims to manually restore the breathing and circulation in someone who’s heart and breathing have stopped due to cardiac arrest.
Effective CPR more than doubles the chance of someone surviving a cardiac arrest.
Chest compression together with rescue breaths is the ideal medical procedure, however according to the Resuscitation Council (UK), rescue breaths should not be given during the COVID-19 pandemic due to infection risk.
When confirming cardiac arrest in a person, normal breathing is checked by listening and feeling for breaths keeping your head close to the persons face. It’s currently advised not to listen for breaths, due to the possibility that the person may have Coronavirus.
If you have encountered an unresponsive person who appear not to be breathing, you should shout for help and dial 999 for emergency help. Commence ‘compression only CPR’, meaning that you need to give chest compressions only. If you are suspecting that the person has COVID-19, you should in addition place a cloth or a towel over their mouth and nose.
Start by giving 30 chest compressions. Place your hands together in the centre of their chest and press down firmly, about 1/3 of the depth of their chest. Compressions to be given at a rate of 100-120 per minute, roughly around 2 compressions per second.
Continue giving chest compressions until help arrives. If the person starts to breathe, place them in the recovery position until emergency help arrives.
To read more on Out Of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Guidance during COVID-19 pandemic - Click here
Written by Fi Ramos, Public Health Nurse & First Aid Instructor at Act2care.
Information on this site is evidence based and provided to create awareness and advice only. If you are worried about a condition, seek medical advice.
Theoretical first aid tips are beneficial, however practical demonstrations and exercises are necessary for gaining high standard of first aid knowledge and skills.
If you are interested in gaining first aid skills, contact Fi to find our more about our paediatric first aid classes at info@act2care.co.uk