Would you know what to do?

Would you know what to do if someone at your yard was unresponsive and not breathing?

The statistical likelihood is that they have suffered a Cardiac Arrest, i.e. their heart has stopped.

We asked BGA sponsor, Medi-K Training to tell explain how to carryout CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), and use a defibrillator.

“Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chances of survival so swift and confident action is crucial. Performing CPR and using a defibrillator can more than double the chances of survival.

Defibrillators or AED’s (Automated External Defibrillator), are very easy to use. Once turned on, they talk you through the steps required.

Some important things to note:

Shouting for help, getting someone else to go and get the defibrillator and call 999 really helps as you can start CPR straight away.

Knowing where your nearest defibrillator is located will greatly improve their chances of survival. Get to know your local defibrillator locations – before you need them.

How to do CPR, step-by-step:

Assess for danger – When you come across a casualty, stop and assess for danger. Do not put yourself at risk. Remove or minimise the danger e.g. traffic, horses, etc

Are they alert? – Call out to them, squeeze their shoulders.

If there is no response - shout for help!

Count out loud 1-30 at a rate of about 2 per second. (or think of the rhythm of the Bee Gees song ‘Ah Ah Ah Ah Stayin Alive, Stayin Alive…’ or ‘Nellie the Elephant’ as a guide to the rate of compressions. Don’t sing these out loud though!)

After 30 compressions, do 2 rescue breaths into their mouth, using a face shield if available. Look down to their chest after each breath to see if their chest is rising.

NOW PHONE 999/112 and tell them your location and that you have an unresponsive, non-breathing casualty and that you’re going to start CPR. The switchboard may tell you where the nearest defibrillator is.

Starting CPR:

Interlock your fingers, one hand above the other. Using the heel of your hand, place your hands in the centre of the casualty’s chest.

Keep your arms straight and your shoulders in line above your hands.

Do 30 chest compressions, 5-6 centimetres deep into the chest.

Count out loud 1-30 at a rate of about 2 per second. (or think of the rhythm of the Bee Gees song ‘Ah Ah Ah Ah Stayin Alive, Stayin Alive…’ or ‘Nellie the Elephant’ as a guide to the rate of compressions. Don’t sing these out loud though!)

After 30 compressions, do 2 rescue breaths into their mouth, using a face shield if available. Look down to their chest after each breath to see if their chest is rising.

Then return to do 30 more chest compressions.

Continue doing 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths until the AED arrives……..

How to use a defibrillator, step-by-step:

When the AED is being set up by someone else, DO NOT stop doing CPR.

Once you turn the defibrillator on, it talks to you and takes your through step by step;

Place the sticky pads on the casualty’s top right side of the chest and lower left side of the rib cage areas – as per the pictures on the pads.

Plug in the pad connectors to the battery if not already attached.

The defibrillator will then say “Analysing heart rhythm – do not touch the patient“. Stop doing CPR at this point.

After analysing, it may say “Shock advised…… Charging………..Stay clear of patient……Do not touch the patient…..Deliver shock now…press the orange button now.” Press the orange button with the electrical symbol on it.

After shock is applied, it will usually say “Begin CPR” and will emit a bleeping sound as a guide to the correct rate for chest compressions.

Every 2 minutes the defibrillator will go through this sequence again to re-analyse the heart rhythm.

Keep doing CPR at a rate of 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths AND follow the instructions from the defibrillator until the ambulance arrives and the paramedics tell you to stop.

Share the workload of giving CPR as it can be very physically tiring. It is an easy technique to show someone. If someone helps you, give them tips on their technique and lots of thanks and praise for stepping in to help.

Get confident – get trained!”