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Basic life support (BLS) training is crucial because it helps save victims who are unconscious, have stopped breathing, or have no pulse. If you want to attend BLS training and improve your skills in Denton, Texas, you have come to the right place.
Here at Integrity Health and Education, we will discuss common mistakes that can occur when performing basic life support. If you want to learn more, keep reading below.
What is Basic Life Support?
BLS is performed to support a patient’s circulation and breathing through cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until medical help arrives. Proper BLS intervention provides oxygen to the victim and increases their likelihood of survival until the rescue team arrives with advanced medical equipment.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Performing Basic Life Support
Not Calling for Medical Assistance
In emergencies, always call for help immediately. Even with BLS training, professional medical assistance with the proper equipment is essential for the victim’s survival. Before starting CPR, ensure that emergency services are on their way, or ask someone else to call for help.
Not Checking the Scene
Ensure the scene is safe before attending to the victim. Rushing in without assessing the situation can endanger both you and the victim. Make sure the area is secure before providing any assistance.
Forgetting to Tilt the Head
For an unconscious person not breathing or experiencing cardiac arrest, tilting the head is crucial. This action helps open the airway, allowing oxygen to reach the lungs, which is vital for their survival.
Stopping CPR
When the victim’s heart stops, blood flow to the brain and other vital organs ceases. Continuous chest compressions are necessary to maintain blood circulation until medical help arrives.
Not Applying Firm Chest Compressions
Do not hesitate to press hard when performing chest compressions. While there is a risk of breaking ribs, firm compressions are necessary to ensure blood flow. Aim for 100-120 compressions per minute, counting out loud to maintain rhythm.
Performing Slow Chest Compressions
Slow compressions are ineffective. Ensure you deliver 100-120 compressions per minute. Keeping a steady, fast rhythm is crucial for effective CPR.
Not Getting Proper BLS Training
Without proper BLS training, providing basic life support can be risky. Proper training equips you with the necessary skills to handle emergencies effectively.
Key Components of Basic Life Support
Basic life support includes the following essential steps:
- Early recognition of cardiac arrest
- Alerting urgent medical assistance
- Performing proper CPR with minimal interruptions during compressions
- Defibrillation
- Prompt advanced life support
- Post-cardiac arrest care
CPR or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CPR is a lifesaving technique performed on a victim to maintain blood and oxygen flow to the organs when the heart and breathing suddenly stop. Cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, and immediate CPR is crucial for individuals who experience it. When the heart stops beating, rescuers must perform CPR to save the victim. Correctly performed CPR after cardiac arrest significantly increases the chances of the individual’s survival.
By understanding and practicing these essential BLS techniques, you can be better prepared to respond effectively in emergencies. If you are interested in learning more about BLS training, Integrity Health and Education in Denton, Texas, offers comprehensive courses to enhance your lifesaving skills.
What are the Different Types of CPR?
The two types of CPR can be performed to save an individual’s life
- Hands only CPR: This type of CPR includes calling for help and then applying rapid pushing motions on the chest or chest compressions. This technique can help blood circulate through the body.
- Traditional CPR including rescue breaths: This is also known as CPR with rescue breaths. It includes chest compressions with mouth-to-mouth breaths. This type of CPR will provide the individual with more oxygen that the body needs while helping the blood circulate throughout the body before medical help arrives.
People who have no CPR training, received training a few years ago, or have received training but are not confident in their skills are advised to perform hands-only CPR.
Individuals who have received BLS training and are confident in their skills can perform traditional CPR with rescue breaths. If you want to undergo basic life support training in Denton, Texas, you can rely on Integrity Health and Education.
Performing Chest Compressions
Chest compressions should be performed when a victim is unresponsive and not breathing properly. Proper chest compressions can improve the victim’s chances of survival by providing the brain and heart with oxygen through continuous chest compressions, allowing blood to circulate and reach vital organs. Here are important details to remember when performing chest compressions:
- Perform 100-120 compressions per minute.
- Push down on the sternum to a depth of one-third of the victim’s chest.
- Apply compressions in a regular rhythm; count 1, 2, 3.
- The compression and relaxation ratio must be equal. Allow complete recoil of the chest between each compression.
- Rotate rescuers after 200 compressions or after 2 minutes.
- Avoid performing compressions below the sternum to prevent regurgitation or damage to the liver, spleen, stomach, and other abdominal organs.
- Minimize interruptions when performing chest compressions.
- Performing compressions too high will achieve ineffective depth.
- After every 30 chest compressions, 2 rescue breaths should be applied, but this is optional.
Keeping the Correct Rhythm
To follow the correct rhythm of chest compressions, you can use the following songs as a reference:
- “Baby Shark”
- “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
- “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees
By adhering to these guidelines and practicing regularly, you can enhance your ability to perform effective CPR, increasing the likelihood of saving lives in emergencies. If you’re interested in BLS training, contact Integrity Health and Education in Denton, Texas, to improve your lifesaving skills.
CPR with Rescue Breaths
Rescue breathing can be combined with chest compressions to increase the effectiveness of CPR. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Check the Scene
Ensure the safety of both the victim and the rescuer. Place the victim on a firm and flat surface.
Step 2: Perform Chest Compressions
Perform 30 chest compressions.
Step 3: Open the Airway
Place the palm of one hand on the victim’s forehead and tilt the head back. With the other hand, gently lift the chin forward to open the airway.
Step 4: Give Rescue Breaths
- Ensure the airway is open.
- Pinch the nostrils closed.
- Cover the victim’s mouth with a CPR face mask to create a seal. For infants, cover both the mouth and nose with the mask. If a CPR mask is not available, cover the victim’s mouth with yours.
- Give two rescue breaths, each lasting for 1 second. Check to see if the chest rises with each breath. If it does not, reposition and try again.
Step 5: Alternate Rescue Breathing with Chest Compressions
Continue performing 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths until the victim starts breathing or medical help arrives. If the person begins to breathe, assist them in lying on their side slowly and gently until medical assistance arrives.
By following these steps, you can effectively perform CPR with rescue breaths, significantly increasing the chances of survival for a person experiencing cardiac arrest.
