Life-Saving Basics: Dos and Don’ts of CPR

Healthcare workers undergo various trainings, including essential courses like BLS and CPR. For those in Denton, Texas seeking CPR training, you’re in the right spot. At Integrity Health and Education, we’ll delve into the dos and don’ts of CPR in this blog post. If you’re eager to enhance your knowledge, read on for valuable insights.

What is CPR?

CPR, or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, stands as one of the shortest yet crucial medical training classes for healthcare workers in medical facilities. It serves as an emergency lifesaving procedure designed to restore breathing and heartbeat during cardiac emergencies.

Involving chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, also known as rescue breaths, CPR facilitates the circulation of blood and vital oxygen, sustaining life by reaching the brain and other vital organs.

This technique is not exclusive to cardiac events; it is also applicable in other medical emergencies such as choking, suffocation, electrical shock, smoke inhalation, and near drowning. Timely and accurate execution of CPR is paramount to enhancing an individual’s chances of surviving a medical emergency until professional help arrives.

In the context of a cardiac emergency, early and effective CPR is imperative. Healthcare professionals must acquire the skills to perform CPR correctly.

Understanding the dos and don’ts of providing CPR is crucial for maximizing its effectiveness and preventing the deterioration of the individual’s condition. Here are the dos and don’ts of performing CPR.

What Are the Dos of Performing CPR?

• Activate medical emergency services: Before initiating CPR on the victim, it is essential to call emergency services to the accident scene. Given that emergency services may take 7-15 minutes to arrive, providing immediate medical assistance significantly improves the patient’s chances of survival.
• Inspect the surroundings: Prior to commencing CPR, assess the safety of the environment for both the rescuer and the victim. Remove any potential hazards, such as chemicals, electricity, fire, explosion, or water, to ensure a secure setting.
• Seek permission: When offering life-saving assistance in a medical or cardiac emergency, it’s crucial to ask the patient for permission if they are capable of responding. This ensures that temporary medical aid can be provided while awaiting the arrival of emergency services at the scene.
• Keep your arms straight while performing CPR. When administering chest compressions, ensure your arms remain straight by engaging your shoulders and back muscles, utilizing your body weight throughout the procedure. This not only enhances the safety and accuracy of CPR but also improves endurance, as providing CPR can be a physically demanding task requiring stamina over an extended period.
• Attend CPR training classes to acquire the necessary skills for proper CPR execution. Professional instructors will guide you through correct forms and techniques, offering valuable feedback to ensure accurate CPR delivery and potentially save lives.

For healthcare professionals who have previously undergone CPR training, it is crucial to refresh their knowledge and skills every 2-3 years. Nurses, doctors, and other healthcare providers must stay updated on the latest technologies and advancements in the health sector. Regular skill updates are essential to maintaining proficiency in CPR.

What Are the Don’ts of Performing CPR?

• Do not forget to check for responsiveness: Before initiating CPR, it is crucial to assess the victim’s responsiveness. Gently tap their shoulder and inquire, “Are you okay?” If there is no response, proceed to check for breathing and a pulse. If none are present, begin CPR immediately.
• Do not delay performing CPR: In a cardiac arrest emergency, immediate CPR is essential. Time is of the essence, and any delay can significantly impact the victim’s chances of survival. Initiate chest compressions promptly, even if rescue breaths are not administered, until professional medical assistance arrives.
• Do not rock your body while providing chest compressions: Performing chest compressions can be physically demanding. Avoid rocking your body back and forth, as this can lead to quicker exhaustion and reduce the effectiveness of the compressions. Enrolling in a CPR training course is advisable. Practicing on a specially designed mannequin allows you to perform CPR correctly, conserve energy, and extend the duration of effective assistance.
• Do not apply inadequate pressure during CPR: Ensure that your chest compressions are forceful enough to effectively pump blood and facilitate circulation throughout the body. Avoid leaning excessively on the victim’s chest, as this may impede proper recoil, diminishing the effectiveness of CPR.
• Don’t stop CPR too early: If assistance is available, continue performing CPR until medical professionals arrive, the victim displays signs of life, or you reach a point of physical exhaustion. Do not cease CPR based on elapsed time or the age of the victim.

CPR training is crucial. While anyone can provide basic CPR during an emergency, it is highly advisable that healthcare professionals undergo proper training and certification. CPR training equips individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to perform effective and efficient CPR, thereby enhancing the chances of the victim’s survival.