ABC of Resuscitation

The ABC of resuscitation stands for Airways, Breathing and Circulation. These are the signs you should check on finding a casualty. Determine if the casualty is conscious and if there are signs of breathing and circulation. Follow the ABC procedure whenever you find a casualty and then treat for the specific injury.

• A-Airways: Ensure the airway is open and clear from any obstructions such as food residues or loose dentures. Remove any obstruction from the mouth. To open the airways, lift the chin and press the forehead backwards to tilt the head back.

• B-Breathing: Check that the casualty is breathing for 10 seconds. If there are no signs of breathing or if in doubt commence artificial ventilation by using the mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose technique. For mouth-to-mouth ventilation, open airways and pinch the casualty’s nostrils together. Seal your lips around the casualty’s mouth and give two breaths. For the mouth to nose, close the casualty’s mouth and position your mouth on the casualty’s nose sealing the nostrils and give two breaths.

If the artificial ventilation is successful the casualty’s chest will rise. You should wait for the chest to fall before giving another breath. Continue to give artificial respiration until natural breathing is resumed or until the arrival of the medical emergency team. Give 10 breaths per minute.

• C-Circulation: Find the pulse in the neck or wrist and check for 10 seconds. If there are no signs of a pulse, commence chest compressions. To give chest compressions kneel beside the casualty and place your middle and index finger on their breastbone. Position the heel of your other hand next to the fingers in the direction of the casualty’s head. This is the place where the chest compressions will be applied. Interlock the fingers of your hands and apply pressure with the heel of the upper hand only. Remember to keep your arms straight and your shoulders parallel to the casualty’s breastbone when doing chest compressions.

In cases where circulation has failed, breathing will also stop. In this case you will have to alternate between artificial ventilation and chest compressions.

This technique is called cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

CPR should be given at a rate of 15 chest compressions to 2 ventilations. If there are more than two trained rescuers, you can take turns giving CPR or, more effectively, administer it using a two-person technique by which one rescuer gives artificial ventilation and the second one gives chest compressions.

For the two-person technique, the rate is 1 breath to 5 compressions. CPR should be continued until the arrival of the medical emergency team. If the casualty recovers breathing and circulation, they should be put in the recovery position.

The following diagram gives a summary of the ABC procedure for resuscitation:

Дата добавления: 2015-08-26