When do i give cpr

Chest compressions keep blood flowing to the heart and brain until emergency responders can take over and try other methods of resuscitation. It is recommended that you begin CPR if the person is unconscious or unresponsive. After determining that a person needs CPR, start immediately. The faster you jump into action, the higher their chances of survival. Delaying longer than is necessary may damage the brain or other organs, leading to more problems down the road. If you are having a hard time imagining when you would need to perform CPR, take a look at some of the following examples to prepare you in case you witness an accident in the future.

You may want to immediately rush onto the scene to try and start CPR after witnessing a sudden cardiac arrest or injury but this is not always the best idea. When conditions are hazardous, you may not be the best person in the situation to help. If someone is electrocuted, there may be downed power lines in the area and you could get electrocuted yourself.

In the event of a car accident on a busy road, you could get hit trying to access the scene. This creates more chaos and can prove fatal. Make sure that the area is totally safe before going in to assist.

Stay close until emergency rescuers arrive. Criminals often prey on empathetic people by faking emergencies. This is especially used to target women as they are more likely to want to help. If you are by yourself, be wary. Call first and seek the assistance of someone in the nearby area if you can. If someone is breathing normally, you usually do not need to perform CPR. Oxygen is still getting to the brain and the heart is obviously functioning for the time being.

In this case, call and wait. Keep an eye on the person to note any changes and to start CPR if their condition worsens. A cardiac arrest is a time-sensitive medical emergency. For cardiac arrests that happen outside of hospitals, this means that workplace first aiders, bystanders and family members and friends may be the ones who are present and need to start CPR.

For many people, quick intervention may mean the difference between life and death. Before you attempt to administer CPR, you need to be confident in your understanding and be able to recognise when a casualty needs CPR.

You must know what steps need to be taken depending on the age of the casualty and whether you have had practical first aid training. This means you should give hands-only CPR just chest compressions instead. However, if a child or infant has a cardiac arrest, it is likely that this is due to a respiratory failure. As a result, you must perform rescue breaths on children and infants if you have had practical training and feel confident in doing so.

If you have not had practical first aid training or are uncertain, you must get advice from the emergency services on the best course of action to take for the specific circumstances. If you have any uncertainties about giving a casualty CPR at any time, you can speak to the emergency call handler on or The call handler is best placed to give you instruction on what to do in various situations.

CPR should be performed on a casualty if they are unresponsive and not breathing normally or at all. Someone may be unconscious, unresponsive and not breathing normally due to a number of factors.

For example, someone may be drowning and require CPR once they have been rescued from the water. Or, they may be severely choking, severely bleeding, or experiencing shock. If you find someone who has collapsed and is unresponsive and unconscious, you should carry out a primary survey using the DRABC steps. During the primary survey, you should check whether a casualty is breathing by placing your cheek above their mouth.

You should listen and feel for their breath and look for regular chest movements for 10 seconds. If they are unconscious, but breathing normally, you should place them into the recovery position. If they are unconscious and not breathing normally, you must prepare to give them CPR. An infant is regarded as under the age of one year old. If an infant has a cardiac arrest, it is likely that this is due to a respiratory failure. Many organisations hold regular courses, ask your doctor or maternal and child health nurse for more information.

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The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. First Aid. Home First Aid. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR. Actions for this page Listen Print.

Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. What is cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR? This combination of techniques is used: chest compressions rescue breathing mouth-to-mouth. When to seek help in an emergency In an emergency situation someone's health can deteriorate quickly.

Common emergency situations for adults and children include: Babies and children Adults sudden unexpected death in infants SUDI and SIDS sleeping accidents choking cuts poisoning burns near drowning driveway accidents heart disease — the most common cause of reversible adult cardiac arrest trauma respiratory illness drowning overdose.