Introduction
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The Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514)
Section 15 (1) spells out that every employer and the self-employed person must ensure, so far as is practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of all his employees. The provision of first-aid facilities and first-aiders is in compliance with the welfare component of this general duty of employers and self-employed persons.
Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Performing Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) can help save a life, often the life of a family member or someone you know. We recommend that every personal learn this life saving skill. In an emergency situation remember DRABC Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and Circulation.
The sequence and actions of DR ABC are outlined below:
1) Check for Danger
Assess the situation and ensure safety of yourself, the casualty and others. You can't help someone else if you become hurt yourself. Move an injured person if it's absolutely necessary to get them away from danger. Only proceed if it is safe to do so.
2) Check for a Response
Identify if the patient is conscious, gently shake the casualty and ask : 'Can you hear me?' ,'What is your name?'. If conscious, squeeze the person's shoulders and ask for their name. If they respond, check for other injuries. If unconscious carefully roll the patient onto their side, (this is called the recovery position) ensuring that you support the patient’s neck. If the patient is in a motor vehicle, gently tilt the head back.
3) Check the Airway
You cannot breath without a clear airway. So this is important to check.Open airway by tilting patient’s head back and lifting the chin. Do not perform a head tilt on babies or injured patients. Check that the airway is not blocked, this is done by open the mouth and clear any foreign objects.Only remove dentures loose or broken.If this simple maneuver is unsuccessful in opening a patient's airway you need to get someone to call an ambulance immediately.
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4) Check Breathing 'look, listen and feel'
Look for the chest rising and falling. Listen for breath sounds from their mouth or nose. Feel for their breath on your cheek. If the patient is breathing keep the patient on their side (recovery position). Remain with the patient while continuing to monitor the patient and check the breathing and pulse every few minutes until Ambulance arrives. If the patient is not breathing, the first-aider should only roll the unconscious person onto their side if there is foreign material present in the mouth. Open the airway by tilting patient’s head back and after lifting their chin, commence rescue breathing with pinch the victim's nose and lift their chin. Place your mouth over the mouth of the patient, making a seal with your lips. Blowing slowly but firmly, give one breath every five seconds for an adult and one breath every three seconds for an infant. Watch for the chest to rise as you give these breaths. If the chest does not rise, re position the head and try again.
5) Check Circulation
Check the injured person for signs of life. Is the injured person breathing, responding or moving? If there are no signs of life, start CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation).
ADULT - Position the heel of one hand on the center of the lower half of breastbone (sternum) while grasping the wrist with your other hand.
CHILD – Position the heel of one hand on the center of the lower half of the breastbone (sternum)
BABY – Position 2 fingers in the center of the breastbone (sternum) just between the nipples.
Give 2 breaths to every 30 compressions (at 100 compressions per minute).Compress chest to 1/3 of its depth. If pulse returns but the person has no breathing continue rescue breathing until Ambulance arrives. Always stay with the person until help arrives.