A lifeguard performing proper CPR techniques on an adult, child and infant require five specific techniques to follow. First, conduct an initial assessment of the scene. Find correct hand or finger positions for giving compressions. Then, give thirty chest compressions accordingly.
Please note, while performing CPR, it is not unusual for the victims ribs to break or cartilage to separate.
Hand Position
Place the heel of one hand on the the center of chest and place other hand on top.
On an adult, place two hands on the center of the chest.
On a child, put two hands or one hand on the center of the chest.
On an infant, place two or three fingers on the center of the chest, just below the nipple line.
Compress
For an adult, push down with locked elbows, using your body weight and gravity in about one and a half to two inches deep.
For a child, push chest in about one to one and a half inches.
For an infant, push two or three fingers in about a half to one inch deep.
Breathe
Each rescue breath should last about one second and should make the chest visibly rise.
For an adult, breathe until you can clearly see a rise in their chest or for about one second per breath.
For a child, breathe until the chest clearly rises or about one second per breath.
For an infant, puff a breath for one second per breath or until you can clearly see the chest rise.
Cycle
30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths.
With 1 rescuer, the results are the same across the board.
For adults, perform thirty compressions for every two breaths.
For a child, perform thirty compressions for every two breaths.
For an infant, perform thirty compressions for every two breaths.
With 2 rescuers, one performs chest compressions while rescuer two performs breathing.
For adults, perform thirty compressions for every two breaths.
For a child, perform fifteen compressions for every two breaths.
For an infant, perform fifteen compressions for every two breaths.
Rate
Counting out loud helps keep an even pace. A good tip for rate is to try and press to the beat of the song, "Staying Alive". Sing, "Ah, ah, ah, ah, staying alive, staying alive." (repeat).
For an adult, perform one hundred compressions per minute.
For a child, perform one hundred compressions per minute.
For an infant, perform one hundred compressions per minute.
Lifeguard Tip: An AED should be used a.s.a.p. if available.
A lifeguard should always continue CPR
- Until another trained rescuer arrives and takes over
- An AED becomes available and ready to use
- If the lifeguard is too exhausted to continue
- The scene becomes unsafe or a sign of life is detected
An AED, Automated External Defibrillator, is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the life threatening cardiac arrhythmias which lead to cardiac arrest. Emergency paramedics carry in ambulances. The AED device delivers shocks to a victim and tells you when to continue CPR.
To see a video go to: American Ambulance demonstrates and AED
DISCLAIMER: Information in this article is educational only and should not be used for diagnosis or a guide to treat a victim without the opinion of a health professional. Readers concerned should contact a professional for advice.
Daniel Kazel - Kazel produces Stress-Free Living TV shows for Discoverhelp, Inc. and cooking food recipes for NY Times website About.com. He lectures ...
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