Mouth-to-Mouth Resuscitation and Chest Compression
Many jokes have been made about mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. However, it is a serious matter especially when a person has stopped breathing. Generally this function is performed in conjunction with chest compression. The success rate for mouth-to-mouth is higher when the person performing the operation has been trained. However, in the presence of a person who has stopped breathing and in the absence of anyone who is certified, mouth-to-mouth and chest compression (in the event of no heartbeat) is certainly a worth a try. Remember that as soon as someone has quit breathing or their heartbeat has ceased, an ambulance should be called and trained technicians brought to the scene.
The procedure for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation involves a few simple steps:
- Lift the neck of the victim. Extend the head with the other hand. This should have the effect of opening the air passage. With a finger, check for any blockages, including tongue, food, or obstruction. Remove blockage.
- Pull the chin upward and pinch off the nostrils. This should further open the passage and close off the nasal passage, preventing air leakage when the lungs are inflated.
- Next, the rescuer should place his or her mouth firmly over the mouth of the victim. If the victim happens to be a small child place mouth over both the mouth and the nose of the victim. For a small child, small short puffs of air should be administered. For adults, a large amount of air should be pushed into the lungs through heavy exhalation. Now mouths should be disengaged to allow the victim's own lungs to exhale the air. Repeat this step every five seconds for adults, and every three seconds for small children. Continue until an ambulance arrives or subject begins breathing on own.
Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is not always easy to maintain for long periods. If necessary, switch off with other bystanders to keep air flowing to the victim. If there is no heartbeat, this procedure should be performed while another person performs chest compression. In the event there is only one person to perform both chest compression and mouth-to-mouth, switch between the two procedures. Two breaths are administered then fifteen chest compressions for about fifteen seconds.
The rescuer performs chess compression by kneeling next to the unconscious person. He places the heel of one hand on the spot on the lower chest where two halves of the rib cage meet. Putting one hand on top of the other, the fingers are interlocked. The rescuer's arms are straightened and shoulders positioned directly above the hands. Using only the palms, the hands are pressed down so that the victim's breast bone sinks from one-half to two inches. The rescuer releases pressure, then repeats about 15 times at about 15 second intervals (checking for a pulse between intervals), until heartbeat resumes.
It can happen that either heartbeat or breathing may resume without the other function resuming; continue the appropriate procedure until relieved by an Emergency Medical Technician or until both breathing and heartbeat resume.
.
