Guidelines for Adult Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Use

Synopsis.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) are important skills to save the life of a person suffering from cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is a sudden stoppage of the heart, resulting in interruption of blood circulation, mainly in elders with cardiovascular disease. If first aid is not administered in time, it can lead to death within minutes. Learning and mastering the use of CPR and AED can save lives in emergency situations.
Recognition of Cardiac Arrest.
Symptoms.
The main symptoms of cardiac arrest include:
Sudden collapse: the patient suddenly loses consciousness and falls to the ground.
Unresponsive: No response to calling the patient, no response to tapping on the shoulder.
No Normal Breathing: The patient is not breathing normally and may only have a near-death gasp (gasping).
Initial Assessment.
CONFIRM ENVIRONMENT SAFETY: Ensure that the rescue environment is safe for the rescuer and the patient.
Check for response: Tap the patient's shoulder and shout to see if there is a response.
CALL FOR HELP: If the patient is unresponsive, immediately call emergency medical services (EMS) and dial the emergency number (e.g., 120 in China, 911 in the U.S., etc.).
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Chest Compressions.
PATIENT POSITION: Lay the patient flat on a hard, flat surface.
Compression Position: Place the base of the palm of one hand on the patient's lower and middle sternum, with the other hand stacked on top of the first, and the fingers of both hands crossed.
Depth and frequency of compressions: Use body force to bring the chest down at least 5 centimeters (2 inches), but no more than 6 centimeters (2.4 inches), at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.
COMPRESSION METHOD: Keeping arms straight, use body gravity to press down vertically, allowing the chest to fully rebound after each compression.
Artificial respiration.
Open the airway: place one hand on the patient's forehead and lift the chin with the other hand to open the airway.
Artificial respiration: Pinch the patient's nostrils to form a seal, take a deep breath and blow twice into the patient's mouth, each time for about 1 second, observing whether the chest rises and falls.
CPR Cycle.
Compression and respiration ratio: follow the ratio of 30 chest compressions and 2 artificial respirations.
Continuous: Repeat the compression and respiration cycle until medical professionals arrive or the patient regains consciousness and is breathing normally.
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
What an AED does.
An AED is a portable device that restores the normal rhythm of the heart by delivering an electrical shock, which is critical in sudden cardiac arrest resuscitation.
Steps in using an AED .
TURN ON THE AED: Turn on the AED device and follow the device's voice prompts.
Prepare electrode patches: Remove the electrode patches and apply them to the patient's exposed chest skin according to the illustrations on the patches. Usually one patch is placed on the right upper chest and the other on the left lower chest.
Analyzing the heart rhythm: After connecting the electrode patches, the AED will automatically analyze the patient's heart rhythm. Make sure no one touches the patient during the analysis.
Shock: If the AED indicates that a shock is required, ensure that everyone leaves the patient and press the shock button to deliver the shock.
Continue CPR: Immediately after the shock, continue CPR, following the AED's prompts for further action.
Overall Application.
OVERALL PROCESS.
ASSESSMENT AND PREPARATION: Confirm that the environment is safe, check for patient response, call for help, and prepare the AED (if available).
CPR initiation: Start chest compressions immediately, following a ratio of 30 compressions and 2 artificial respirations.
AED Use: Immediately after the AED arrives, follow the steps to use the AED and continue CPR.
CONTINUOUS RESUSCITATION: Keep performing CPR and AED until medical professionals arrive or the patient regains consciousness and normal breathing.
Caution.
TEAMWORK: When more than one person is present, chest compressions can be performed in shifts to ensure the quality of compressions.
Continuous monitoring: Even if the patient regains consciousness and respiration, continue monitoring
Avoid interruptions: Minimize interruptions when performing chest compressions and artificial respiration to ensure continuous blood flow.
Environmental safety: When using an AED in a humid environment, ensure that the patient and electrode patch locations are dry to avoid the effects of water on the effectiveness of the shock.