Principles of CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure which is attempted in an effort to return life to a person who is not breathing normally for themselves.

This procedure combines chest compressions with rescue breaths.

The chest compression replaces the heart’s ability to pump oxygenated blood around the body, particularly to the vital organs such as the brain.

Rescue breathing provides the casualty, who is unable to breathe normally for themselves, vital oxygen that is transported around the body by the chest compressions.

Without oxygen brain damage can occur within three minutes so immediate action is paramount.

Referring back to Primary Survey, i.e. DR ABC, you will have established that your casualty is not breathing normally.

Your immediate action now is to contact the emergency services and ask for an ambulance, ensuring that you state that your casualty is not breathing normally.

If you have a bystander at hand, send them to make this important call, and to fetch an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and first aid kit if available. 

However, if you are on your own you must call the emergency services yourself. Stay with the casualty when making this call if possible.

If possible activate the speaker function on your phone to aid communication between you and the emergency services.

Commence CPR without delay.