The Unconscious Victim

Chapter 4To maintain an open airway, to check breathing & resuscitate if required

To call 911 for emergency help

BREATHING & CIRCULATION

• Oxygen is essential to support life• Cells in the body die• Those in the brain survive only a few minutes

• How the heart and lungs work together1. Air containing oxygen is taken into the lungs via the mouth & nose2. Blood is pumped from the heart to the lungs (absorbs oxygen)3. Oxygenated blood is returned to the heart before being pumped around the

body

Chain of Survival

• Four elements increase the chances of a collapsed victim surviving1. EARLY HELP2. EARLY CPR3. EARLY DEFIBRILLATION4. EARLY ADVANCED CARE

• If any one of the elements in this chain is missing , the chances of survival are reduced

Importance of Maintaining Circulation• If the heart stops beating, blood does not circulate through the body• Vital organs, most importantly the brain become starved of oxygen• Brain cells are unable to survive for more than few minutes

• To ensure that the blood is supplied with enough oxygen, chest compressions should be combined with rescue breathing

Restoring Heart Rhythm

• An automated external defibrillator (AED) can be used to restart the heart• The earlier it is used the greater chance of survival• Can be used safely and effectively without any prior training

An Open Airway

• Unconscious victim’s airway can become narrowed/ blocked• Breathing becomes difficult

• Lifting the chin & tilting the head back lifts the tongue away from the entrance to the air passage

Breathing for the Victim

• Exhaled air contains about 16% oxygen• Only 5% less than inhaled air• Your exhaled breath contains enough oxygen to supply another

person with oxygen• Rescue breathing• Force air into the passages---air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs---

transferred through tiny blood vessels (capillaries) to RBCs• Air containing waste products is pushed out (exhaled) from

lungs

Supplies tissues with enough oxygen until help arrives

Agonal Breathing

• Short, irregular gasps of breath• Common in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest• Chest compressions & rescue breaths should be started without

hesitation

Special Considerations for CPR

1. If you have not been formally trained• Give chest compressions; call 911

2. If there is more than one rescuer• Change every 2 minutes

3. If the victim vomits during CPR• Roll victim away from you onto his side, allow vomit to drain away, clear

debris, continue CPR

4. If a women is in the late stages of pregnancy• Tilt her right hip to the left when giving chest compressions

Variations for Rescue Breathing

• Mouth-to-nose rescue breathing:1. With the victim’s mouth closed, for a tight seal with your lips around the

nose and blow steadily2. Allow mouth to fall open and let air escape

• Mouth-to-stoma rescue breathing:1. Close off the mouth and nose with one hand and breath into the stoma

Face Shields & Pocket Masks• Face shield- plastic barrier with a filter that is placed over the victim’s

mouth1. Tilt victim’s head back to open airway.2. Place the shield over his face, so filter is over the mouth3. Make seal over entire mouth area & give rescue breaths

• Pocket mask- mouthpiece through which breaths are given1. Kneel behind victim’s head2. Open airway & place the mask, narrow end toward you over mouth & nose3. Deliver rescue breaths through the mouthpiece

Unconscious Child

• How to check response:• Speak loudly & clearly to child- “What happened?”, “Open your eyes.”• Place one hand on shoulder, gently tap to see if there is a response

• If there is a response:• Leave child in position which they are found• Check for life threatening injuries & summon emergency help if needed

• If there is no response:• Shout for help• Assess for breathing

Unconscious Child• How to assess breathing- look, listen & feel• If the child is not breathing:

1. Ask a helper to call 9112. If you are on your own, perform CPR for one minute & then make the call

• If the child is breathing:1. Check for life-threatening injuries2. Place child in recovery position & call 9113. Monitor & record vital signs

Unconscious Infant

• How to check response:1. Gently tap/ flick the sole of the infant’s foot & call his name to see2. NEVER shake an infant

• If there is no response:1. Shout for help, then assess for breathing

• If there is a response:1. Check and treat for life-threatening injuries2. Take the infant with you to summon help if needed3. Monitor and record vital signs