1

Adult Chain of Survival

Early Recognition

and Early Access

(Phone 911)

Early CPR

Early Defibrillation

Early Advanced

Care

2

Function of the Heart and Lungs

The heart and lungs provide oxygenated blood to the body, including the brain and the heart muscle

The lungs add oxygen to the blood and remove carbon dioxide

The heart pumps (circulates) blood through the lungs and then to the body, including the brain and the heart muscle

Heart

Lungs

3

The Path of Oxygen

Oxygen enters the body through the mouth and nose with each breath

Oxygen travels through the air passages into the lung tissue

Oxygen moves through the lung tissue into the blood

Lower airway

Upper airway

4

Function of the Heart

Double pump:

– Pumps blood through lungs to collect oxygen

– Then pumps blood to the body to deliver oxygen

Pumps (beats) about 70 times a minute in adults

Each heartbeat is triggered by an electrical impulse

5

Heart Attack

A heart attack happens when part of the heart muscle dies because it does not receive enough blood and oxygen.

6

Signs of Heart Attack

In persons with known heart disease:– Chest pain or discomfort not relieved after 5 minutes of rest

and 1 dose of nitroglycerin

In persons without known heart disease:– Chest pain or discomfort that persists for 5 minutes despite

rest

7

Actions for Survival

Have victim stop activity and sit or lie down

Phone emergency response number (or 911)

If pain lasts for more than 5 minutes:

Recognize the signsof a heart attack

Give victim nitroglycerin if victim has known heart disease

8

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest is present when the heart stops pumping blood

A common cause of cardiac arrest in adults is an abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF):– In VF the heart quivers uselessly and does not

pump blood– VF requires CPR and an immediate electric

shock — defibrillation — to stop the VF. This will allow the normal heart rhythm to return.

9

Sudden Cardiac ArrestThe best chance for survival depends on

early CPR and early defibrillationFor every minute that passes without CPR

and defibrillation, the victim’s chance of survival falls

4 minutes: Brain injury can occur

10-12 minutes: Chance of survival is small unless CPR provided

10

Stroke

Block in or bleeding from a blood vessel in the brain

11

Signs of Stroke

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.– The victim may suddenly fall or may have difficulty

walking or moving.

Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. The person may suddenly:– be unable to think of correct words to use in a

conversation– slur words – be unable to understand what you are saying

12

Signs of Stroke (continued)

Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of

balance or coordination.Sudden very bad headache with no known

cause.

13

Signs of possible stroke —phone or have someone

else phone your emergency response number (or 911)

14

The Importance of Early Treatment for Stroke

If you suspect a stroke, the earlier treatment is provided, the better the outcome.

15

Causes of Death in Infants and Children

Risk may be reduced for:– Motor vehicle crashes, being struck by a

vehicle, or in a vehicle that crashes– Firearms or falls– Airway obstruction by a foreign object– Choking by suffocation– Burns and smoke inhalation– Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)– Poisoning

16

Injury Prevention:Motor Vehicles

Buckle up! Everyone!Children up to 4 years and 40 lb:

use child-restraint device (install correctly!)Children 40-80 lb: use belt-positioning

booster seatChildren taller than 58 inches and more than

80 lb and adults: use lap and shoulder beltChildren 12 years or younger should sit in the

BACK seat

17

Injury PreventionPedestrians

– Supervise children near traffic– Teach children to stop, look, and listen

before crossing the street and to use crosswalks

Bicycles– Always wear bike helmet (ANSI- or

Snell-approved)– Ride on right side of road; avoid busy

streets

18

Injury PreventionDrowning

– Supervise children near water, including bathtubs and pools, at all times!

– Completely surround outdoor pools with fences– Be sure children wear life vests when swimming in a

natural body of water or boating

Firearms– Store all firearms UNLOADED and LOCKED

Burns and smoke inhalation– Use smoke alarms (check batteries twice a year)– Keep drapes and furniture away from heaters

19

Injury PreventionPoisonings

– Keep poison out of reach of children– Do not store in drinking containers or

bottles– Place poison control number near phone

Falls– In high buildings place gates on all

windows in children’s rooms– Use gates to block stairways from infants

and toddlers

20

Injury PreventionSudden infant death syndrome

– Place healthy infants to sleep on their backs (“Back to sleep”)

– Do not put any stuffed toys or fluffy comforters or quilts in the crib with the baby

Choking– Do not allow infants and small children to play with

small toys– If a toy is small enough to fit in a standard toilet

paper roll, it can block a child's airway

Suffocation– Do not allow infants or children to play with plastic

bags, balloons, or drapery cords