Essential CPR Guide

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique used to revive a person who has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped beating. If performed correctly and promptly, CPR can dramatically increase the chances of survival for the victim.

According to the British Heart foundation (2023) there are over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) every year in the UK. That’s on average 82 everyday, with less than 1 in 10 people in the UK surviving OHCA. Early CPR and defibrillation can double the chances of surviving an OHCA with survival & recovery chances dropping with every minute help isn’t administered.

How To Do CPR

Here are some best practices for performing CPR (NHS, 2023):

1. Check for responsiveness: Before performing CPR, check if the person is responsive by gently shaking their shoulders and calling their name. If there is no response, ask someone to call for emergency medical services (EMS) or call them yourself.
2. Open the airway: Tilt the head back and lift the chin to open the airway. Check for breathing by placing your ear close to the person’s mouth and nose, and look for chest movement. If the person is not breathing, begin CPR.
3. Perform chest compressions: Place the heel of one hand on the center of the person’s chest, and place the other hand on top. Press down hard and fast, aiming for a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. Allow the chest to recoil fully between compressions.
4. Give rescue breaths: Pinch the person’s nose closed and give two rescue breaths by blowing into their mouth. Watch for chest rise as you give each breath. If the chest does not rise, re-tilt the head and try again.
5. Continue CPR: Alternate between chest compressions and rescue breaths, maintaining a ratio of 30 compressions to 2 breaths. Continue until help arrives or the person starts breathing on their own.
6. Use an automated external defibrillator (AED): If an AED is available, turn it on and follow the voice prompts. Apply the pads to the person’s bare chest, following the pictures on the pads, and listen for the AED to analyze the heart rhythm. If a shock is advised, stand clear of the person and press the shock button.
7. Stay with the person: If help has not arrived, continue performing CPR until EMS arrives. Stay calm and focused, and keep performing CPR until someone with more advanced training takes over.

It is important to remember that CPR can be physically demanding and emotionally taxing. If you are unable to continue, switch with someone else who can take over. It is also important to remember to call for help as soon as possible, as the longer a person goes without oxygen, the greater the risk of brain damage or death. By following these best practices and remaining calm in an emergency, you can give the victim the best chance of survival.

AED’s are normally located nearby and once a 999 call has been made, the operator will be able to guide you to the nearest one and give you the code for its lock box. It is important to get a second person to fetch the AED as someone must stay to keep administering CPR. AED’s can also be located online with resources such as HeartSafe’s AED Locator, but in the event of an emergency call 999.

Training For CPR

Just like any other skill practice is essential, so accurate repetitions of CPR are essential for having the correct technique when it’s needed.

The best tool for this is a training manikin as it allows for a life sized replica of a persons chest so you can train in a situation as close to the real thing as possible. There are a plethora of training manikins of all shapes and sizes, with our full range available if you click here.

The main differences are:

1. Size: From infant to overweight, make sure you have the correct manikin for what you’re training for.
2. Feedback: Feedback is key for gaining proper technique, especially if not in the presence of someone else trained in CPR. Finding a CPR manikin with reliable feedback is key as different manikins provide different levels of accuracy and feedback.
3. Anatomical Accuracy: For effective practice, having an anatomically accurate CPR manikin is key for getting correct hand placement & having a more real feel for CPR.
4. Accessories: There are different accessories for CPR manikins such as removable mouth pieces, extra airways , wipes, kneeling pads and even clothing.

CPR Manikin Options

Laerdal Mini Anne Plus (Single)

First off is the Laerdal Mini Anne Plus (Single), which comes in at the cheaper end of the scale.

Featuring an innovative pump bag that offers a simple and hygienic way to inflate the manikin, with replaceable lungs that can be easily changed, the Laerdal Mini Anne Plus (Single) is a great budget option. This comes with a rudimentary clicker for auditory feedback for learners to know when they have hit depth.

Laerdal Little Anne QCPR Training Manikin

For a higher end CPR training doll, the Laerdal Little Anne QCPR Training Manikin comes with real-time and summary feedback of CPR performance through a digital companion app.

It also comes equipped with added accessories such as 2 manikin faces, 2 airways and a jacket. The Laerdal Little Anne QCPR Training Manikin also comes with an anatomically correct torso and sternal notch, with a realistic airway construction means that the airway naturally remains obstructed without the use of proper head tilt, chin lift or jaw thrust.

This leads to more realistic training as chest rise will be seen when correct ventilations are made & allows students to properly identify anatomical landmarks.

Laerdal Baby Anne QCPR Training Manikin

For practice on an infant, the Laerdal Baby Anne QCPR Training Manikin is perfect.

This QCPR doll comes with the aforementioned measurement and feedback technology that can help you improve your CPR quality and training efficiency of CPR on an infant.

Conclusion

To conclude, CPR is an essential life-saving technique that can greatly increase the chances of survival for a person who has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped beating. Early CPR and defibrillation can double the chances of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Training is crucial for developing accurate technique and the use of a training manikin can provide a close-to-real-life experience. An anatomically accurate manikin with reliable feedback is essential for gaining proper technique. There are many different CPR manikin options available, each with different features and price points, and choosing the right one will depend on individual needs and budgets.