Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

5 Cardiovascular Emergencies, CPR and AED

Summary Activating 911, getting an AED, and managing life threats to the ABCs are priorities in a cardiovascular emergency. If the patient is unconscious, determine if CPR is needed. Activate 911, and get an AED. If the patient is not breathing, begin CPR. Give 30 chest compressions, and then open the airway and give 2 rescue breaths. For a conscious patient with signs and symptoms of a heart attack, rapid paramedic response and transport to a hospital is the priority. Get as much patient history as you can. If the patient is allowed an aspirin, then have them chew one. Assist the patient with any medications if they confirm needing help. Be prepared to give CPR and use an AED. Pulmonary edema is fluid in the lungs. This fluid prevents proper oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. It can be caused by heart failure or other reasons such as a toxic inhalation injury.

Patients will have difficulty breathing, usually severe. Skin will be pale, cool, and sweaty. Assist the patient with any medications if they confirm needing help. Be prepared to give CPR and use an AED. When electrical and mechanical activity in the heart cease completely, it is called cardiac arrest. The patient will not be breathing. Provide CPR until an AED becomes available. Apply the AED as quickly as possible and follow the voice prompts. If ‘Shock’ is advised, clear everyone including yourself from touching the patient and deliver the shock. Immediately perform five cycles of 30:2 CPR. (2 min) Interruptions in chest compressions should be minimized. Perform chest compressions to a minimum of 60% of the total resuscitation time at 100-120/min Ventilations can be done with a pocket mask or other barrier device such as a CPR face mouth shield.

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