Health and First Aid | CPR, AED, Injuries and Heat Illness, Set 1

When a person is unresponsive, shout for help and give arriving bystanders specific tasks such as calling 119 and fetching an AED. Starting the emergency response and locating an AED take priority over a prolonged attempt to determine the cause. Next, check briefly for normal breathing and begin chest compressions if normal breathing is absent.

Occasional interrupted gasps can occur shortly after cardiac arrest, but they are not normal breathing. Limit the breathing check to about ten seconds and begin chest compressions if normal breathing is absent or you are unsure. Watching for several minutes or giving water delays needed resuscitation and can also create an aspiration hazard.

For an adult, place the heel of the hand at the center of the chest and press straight down about 5 cm. Use a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute, allow the chest to recoil after each compression and minimize interruptions. Compressing the side or upper abdomen, pressing too shallowly or leaning continuously on the chest will not produce effective circulation.

During AED analysis and a shock, make sure that no one is touching the person so that the rhythm can be analyzed accurately and rescuers remain safe. If a shock is advised, confirm that everyone is clear and deliver it as prompted; resume CPR as soon as the device tells you to do so. Continuing compressions during analysis or spending a long time checking a pulse interferes with analysis or delays the return to compressions.

While the person can cough forcefully, that cough is an effective way to expel the object, so encourage it and observe closely. Arrange a 119 call when choking is identified, and change to measures such as back blows if the cough weakens or the person can no longer speak or cough. Forcing water or blindly sweeping with a finger can drive the object farther into the airway.

When a choking person becomes unresponsive, switch from techniques for a responsive person to CPR. If 119 has not been called, call immediately, obtain an AED, place the person safely on their back and begin CPR with chest compressions. Do not keep an unresponsive person standing or give water. When checking the mouth, remove only an object that is visible rather than performing a blind finger sweep.

For heavy bleeding, place clean gauze or cloth directly over the bleeding site and apply firm direct pressure. Covering your hand with a plastic bag or glove reduces the rescuer's contact with blood. Lifting the gauze every few seconds interrupts the pressure that is needed. If bleeding continues, check the location and strength of the pressure and use both hands as needed.

For an ordinary thermal burn, cool the area with running water without breaking the blisters. If removing clothing would damage a blister or the skin, leave the fabric in place and cool through it. Begin cooling promptly rather than waiting for a blister to break, while extensive, deep or critically located burns require prompt medical assessment or emergency advice.

Unclear responses and inability to drink without help call for emergency services, not forced oral fluids. Call an ambulance immediately and, while waiting, move the person to a cool place, loosen clothing and cool areas such as the neck, armpits and groin. Giving fluid to a person with impaired consciousness risks aspiration, and heat illness can occur indoors as well as outdoors.

Entering water with a current or unknown bottom without rescue training can create a second victim. Call 119, throw a floating object from a safe position and leave in-water rescue to trained responders. Once the person is safely out and is not breathing normally, begin basic life support instead of delaying to press the abdomen or drain water.