Last Updated On: October 31, 2024
What would you do if someone near you suddenly collapsed and stopped breathing? In those critical moments, quick action can be the difference between life and death. Administering life support is a crucial skill that anyone can learn. It doesn’t require advanced medical knowledge. Basic life support involves the ability to act quickly and follow simple steps.
Every year, thousands of people suffer cardiac arrests in public places. However, many lives could be saved if bystanders knew how to respond. Would you be ready to help in such a situation? This blog will guide you through the essential steps for administering adult life support.
Life support refers to medical procedures or techniques that help maintain life when a person is unable to breathe or their heart has stopped beating. The most common way when administering life support technique is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which involves chest compressions and rescue breaths. In some cases, additional tools like an automated external defibrillator (AED) may be used to restart the heart.
When an adult stops breathing or their heart stops beating, every second counts. If oxygen does not reach the brain, permanent brain damage can begin within 4 to 6 minutes. Therefore, knowing how to act quickly and efficiently with the correct adult life support basics is critical.
Taking a certified CPR course can help you feel more prepared to respond to a real-life emergency. Additionally, some courses now offer online learning options, allowing you to refresh your knowledge regularly.
Before beginning Adult Life Support, assess the scene. Ensure your safety before approaching the victim. If there are dangers like fire, traffic, or electrical hazards, do not proceed until the area is safe. Your safety is important. Once you have ensured safety, approach the victim and assess their condition.
Life support communication is extremely crucial during emergencies. Tap the victim on their shoulders and ask to check if they are responsive. If the person does not respond or shows signs of confusion, they may be unconscious and in need of help.
After performing the adult life support basics and it’s confirmed that the person is unresponsive, call emergency services. In most countries, this is done by dialing the emergency number (such as 911 in the U.S.). Provide the dispatcher with clear information about the victim’s condition and location. Stay on the phone until help arrives to take over.
Knowing when to start and stop adult life support basics is critical in emergencies. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing or only gasping, you should begin life support immediately. Starting chest compressions and rescue breathing as soon as possible helps maintain circulation and breathing until professional medical help arrives.
Life support should continue until one of the following occurs:
However, if continuing poses a serious threat to your own safety, it is essential to prioritize your well-being.
Learning how to administer CPR and use an AED can make a significant difference in emergency situations. Many organizations offer CPR certification courses. These courses teach the proper adult life support basics and allow individuals to practice on mannequins to build their skills.
An important Adult Life Support technique is opening the airway. Check the person’s airway to confirm it’s not blocked. To open the airway, gently tilt the head back and raise the chin. This will make it easier for air to flow into their lungs during rescue breaths. Ensure there are no visible obstructions in the mouth, like food or objects, which may block the airway.
Another Adult Life Support technique is to inspect the breathing. Check the person’s breathing after the airway has been opened. Do this by placing your ear near their mouth or nose. Look at their chest to see if it rises and falls, listen for sounds of breathing, and feel for breath on your cheek. If the person is not breathing or is only gasping, you must begin CPR immediately.
One of the primary aspects of CPR is called chest compressions. This aids in keeping the blood from flowing into all the main organs. To perform chest compression, you must begin by placing the hell of the hands in the middle of the chest. After that, interlock the fingers and use the body weight to compress the chest 2 inches or 5 cm. You must conduct 30 compressions at the rate of 100 to 120 every minute. This will enable the chest to recoil after each minute.
After giving 30 chest compressions, you have to provide 2 rescue breaths. Performing this adult life support basics technique will let you supply oxygen. To perform rescue breaths, pinch the victim’s nose, take a deep breath, and lock your mouth over the victim’s. Blow air for 1 second, and make sure to check whether or not the chest is rising. If that doesn’t happen, adjust the head and do it again. Repeat the method of 2 rescue breaths and 30 compressions till proper help arrives or the victim starts breathing.
When there is an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), you must use it instantly. Switch the device on and follow the voice-related instructions. Attach the pads on the victim’s chest as displayed on the diagrams. The device will then study the heart and will tell you when to press the shock button. After the shock, perform CPR along with chest compressions immediately.
The basic steps for starting life support are the same for most adults. However, not all emergencies are the same, and life support techniques may vary depending on the situation. Here are some differences to keep in mind for specific emergencies:
In cardiac arrest, the heart suddenly stops beating, and the person will collapse, stop breathing, or gasp for air. In this case, begin CPR immediately with chest compressions and rescue breathing. Using the adult life support basics, such as AED, as soon as possible can significantly increase the person’s chances of survival.
A respiratory arrest occurs when the person stops breathing but the heart is still beating. In this case, focus on rescue breathing, which is one of the most crucial adult life support basics. This technique will let you provide oxygen to the body. Chest compressions are not needed until the heart stops beating.
If the person is choking but still able to cough, encourage them to keep coughing to try to clear the blockage. If the airway becomes fully blocked and the person cannot breathe, perform the Heimlich maneuver. To perform this important adult life support basics technique, start by standing behind the person. After that, place your hands around their abdomen and give quick, upward thrusts until the object is dislodged.
In cases of drowning, focus on rescue breathing as soon as possible, as lack of oxygen is the main issue. Chest compressions can be added if the person’s heart has stopped beating.
When administering adult life support basics, it is essential to communicate effectively along with known life support techniques for emergency responders. Good communication ensures that medical professionals can take over quickly and effectively, increasing the victim’s chances of recovery.
The following tips will help to guarantee effective communication:
Administering adult life support is a critical skill that can save lives. Knowing the steps of CPR and how to use an AED can increase the chances of survival for someone experiencing a medical emergency. Remember to act quickly, follow the steps carefully, and stay calm under pressure.
Whether it is at home, work, or public, one knows exactly how to administer basic life support when needing it. Take that CPR training course to do a much better job of really being prepared and ready to offer assistance in such emergencies. With the right knowledge and life support assessment, you could one day save a life.
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