Responding To Cardiac Arrest

Question 1

What does CPR stand for?

Answer 1

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Question 2

How should you respond to unconsciousness/unresponsiveness?

Answer 2

It is always a medical emergency, so you should call 999.

Question 3

What is cardiac arrest?

Answer 3

When someone’s heart stops, causing them to become unconscious and stop breathing normally or at all.

Question 4

What are the symptoms of cardiac arrest?

Answer 4

• Sudden collapse
• Becoming unconscious
• Becoming unresponsive
• Stopping breathing normally

Question 5

What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?

Answer 5

Heart attacks cause abnormal heart rhythms which can lead to a cardiac arrest.

Question 6

What should you do if you discover in a primary survey that a casualty is unresponsive and has stopped breathing normally?

Answer 6

• Call 999, or get someone to call 999 - use speakerphone so hands are free
• If someone is with you, send them to find a defibrillator (if alone, do not leave casualty, but shout for help)
• Begin CPR

Question 7

What might abnormal breathing look like?

Answer 7

• Not breathing
• Breathing very irregularly
• Gasping/laboured breathing

Question 8

What type of CPR should you perform for each experience level/case?

Answer 8

If trained practically and feel confident:
- Compression with rescue breaths

If not trained practically:
- Just compression

If a child or infant is unresponsive, it may be worth prioritising rescue breaths - consult call handler

Question 9

What ratio of breaths to compressions should you use?

Answer 9

30 compressions, 2 rescue breaths

Question 10

How long should CPR be continued?

Answer 10

Until help arrives

Question 11

How is child CPR different to adult CPR?

Answer 11

For young children, start by providing 5 rescue breaths
If there are definite signs of life (gag, cough, breathing), continue rescue breaths until they breathe normally for themself - if not, begin full CPR
For young children, use only one hand for chest compressions (and go about a third of the depth of the chest)

Question 12

How is administering CPR to an infant different to an adult?

Answer 12

Perform five initial rescue breaths before beginning CPR (see advice for young children)
Use only 2 fingers for chest compressions
Use same ratio as for adults

Question 13

When might you stop giving CPR?

Answer 13

• The casualty starts breathing on their own
• The casualty becomes responsive and shows obvious signs of recovery
• You become physically exhausted and cannot carry on
• Emergency medical help arrives and takes over
• Carry on chest compressions even if you have to stop rescue breaths

Question 14

What should you do if a casualty vomits during CPR?

Answer 14

Roll them briefly on their side to allow vomit to drain, then resume CPR

Question 15

What is the purpose of CPR?

Answer 15

To pump blood and oxygen around the body and therefore keep a casualty alive until emergency services take over (note, not usually to revive).

Question 16

What should you do if the casualty has a suspected spinal injury but needs CPR?

Answer 16

Perform CPR, but try to move them as little as possible. If there is someone with you, ask them to hold their head and neck still.

Question 17

How might you control infection during CPR?

Answer 17

• Use gloves
• Use a sterile cleansing wipe
• Use protective barriers such as a face shield
• Wash hands and mouth after giving CPR

Only take these precautions if equipment is readily available lie to you. Administering CPR takes priority over finding PPE.

Question 18

What differences are there between using an AED on adults and children?

Answer 18

AEDs can be used on children over the age of 1, but for children under age 8 smaller paediatric pads should be used, or the adult pads attached different (centre of chest and centre of back)