CPR/AED/First Aid | Assess Adult Victim - Call 911

The ABC's of CPR have been modified and are now "CAB". The focus of CPR will now be on Circulation. Studies have shown that the sooner compressions are initiated the better the victim’s chance of survival. the newest guidelines emphasize giving compressions with minimal breaks for assessments and providing ventilations. many of the changes do not apply to professional level courses like this. Lay-Rescuers will no longer check for breathing or circulation. There have also been changes in the rate and depth of compressions. All updates are included in this Healthcare Provider level course.

Determine Responsiveness and Activate EMS

When you observe the victim, the first thing to do is determine if he or she is conscious. If the victim is alert but experiencing possible signs and symptoms of a heart attack, tell the victim to lay down or sit quietly and call 911 To do this simply shake the victim and ask loudly; “are you okay?” Look, Listen and Feel for signs of normal breathing. Ignore agonal/gasping breaths. If no response and the victim is not breathing, act immediately. If you are alone with no mobile phone, leave the victim to activate the emergency response system and get the AED (if available) before returning to your victim and beginning CPR as quickly as possible. If you are not alone have someone else activate EMS immediately. Single someone out and instruct him or her to “CALL 911, tell them we have an unconscious victim, and come back. Do you understand?” If they do not respond, be sure to send someone else.

Assessment

To check for signs of circulation, find the carotid artery and check for a pulse for a full 10 seconds. The carotid can easily be found in the victim's neck. It is about an inch away from the cricoid cartilage in a depression on the side of the neck. Also, look for other signs of circulation such as movement and color.