Basic Life Support

• What is DR ABC?

  *danger

  *check response

  *open airway

  *check breathing

  *chest compression

  *rescue breathing
• What does AVPU stand for?

  *alert

  *voice

  *pain

  *unresponsive
• What should you do if the patient is unresponsive?

  *shout for help +dial ambulance

  *lay patient on a hard surface = floor
• How to open the airway?

  *remove any obstructions from the mouth 

  *head tilt and chin lift
• How do you check breathing?

  *Look, Listen and Feel for NORMAL breathing for no longer than 10 seconds

  *do not confuse normal breathing for agonal breathing
• What is agonal breathing?

  * An abnormal pattern of breathing characterised by slow,

  laboured, noisy gasps. (think - Goldfish breathing)

  * One gasp every 10-15 seconds

  * Occurs shortly after the heart stops in up to 40% of

  cardiac arrests
• What to do if the patient is breathing normally?

  *place the patient in the recovery position
• What to do if the patient is NOT breathing normally?

  *shout for a defibrillator/ get one

  *start 30 chest compressions
• How should you do your chest compressions?

  * Place the heel of one hand in the centre of the chest

  * Place other hand on top and Interlock fingers

  * Compress the chest 30 times

  – Depth 5-6 cm

  – Rate 100-120/min
• How do you give someone 2 rescue breaths?

  * Pinch the nose

  * Take a normal breath

  * Place lips over mouth

  * Blow until the chest

  rises

  * Take about 1 second

  * Allow chest to fall

  * Repeat
• When can you stop CPR?

  *when the patient shows signs of life AND breathing normally 

  *when the more qualified medical professionals take over

  *when you become physically exhausted
• What are the signs of chocking?

  * Clutching throat

  * Ineffective cough,

  * Excessive salivation,

  * Fear
• What are the two ways to deal with choking?

  *encourage to cough

  *give 5 back blows

  *give up to 5 abdominal thrusts
• How do you give someone 5 back blows?

  * Back blows are more effective if the patients head is positioned head down.

  * Lean the patient over your arm or something like a chair.

  * Do not compress the soft tissues under the jaw, as this can exacerbate the airway

  obstruction.

  * Deliver up to 5 sharp back blows with the heel of one hand in the middle of the

  back between the shoulder blades.

  * The aim is to relieve the obstruction with each blow rather than to give all 5
• How do you give someone abdominal thrusts?

  * Stand or behind the patient. Place your arms under their arms and encircle their torso.

  * Clench your fist and place it between the umbilicus (tummy button) and xiphisternum.

  * Grasp this hand with your other hand and pull sharply inwards and upwards.

  * Repeat up to 4 more times.

  * Ensure that pressure is not applied to the xiphisternum or the lower rib cage as this

  may cause abdominal trauma.

  * The aim is to relieve the obstruction with each thrust rather than to give all 5
• What should you do after trying to help someone choking?

  *if object not expelled keep trying

  *do not leave patient alone

  *call out for help if it is still not available 

  *if the object is expelled successfully still assess the patient as some of the object still could remain, seek medical guidance
• What if a patient becomes unconscious after choking?

  *place on a firm, flat surface

  *call 999 

  *give CPR

  *check airway
• What is the chain of survival?

  *early recognition and calling for help (to prevent cardiac arrest)

  *early CPR (to buy time)

  *early defibrillation (to restart the heart)

  *post resuscitation care (to restore quality of life)
• How should a defibrillator's pads be placed on someone?

  One on the top right of the patient’s bare chest, and the other on the bottom left.

  This means the shock

  will travel through the heart.
• What to do if a defibrillator recommends a shock?

  *patient's heart rhythm not normal and cannot sustain life - must solve 

  *try doing chest compressions whilst machine is charging up

  *look around the patient and make sure they aren't touching anything. shout "stand clear" and press shock button
• What to do if defibrillator does not recommend a shock?

  *patient's heart rhythm is pumping normally or its a cardiac arrest that won't respond to shock 

  *only continue CPR if still not breathing normally.
• What is the every 2 minute swap sequence?

  After analysing the patient’s heart and telling you the

  instructions, the AED will remain quiet for 2 minutes.

  This give you 2 minutes to do the best CPR you can do.

  Go hard and fast!

  After the 2 minutes the AED will tell you to stop CPR

  and it will re-analyse the patient’s heart

  This is the perfect time to swap CPR providers