One person CPR Guidelines

• Candidates must be able to competently demonstrate:
• Checking for Danger – to themselves, bystanders and the patient.   
• Check for Response
  • Squeeze shoulder for adult/child, hold the patients hands and ask them to squeeze your hands or open their eyes.
• If there is no response Call for help
  • 000 or surf com
• Check/clear the airway
  • If patient has been immersed roll them on their side (hip and shoulder roll) and check for obstruction
  • If not immersed check airway whilst patient is on their back.
• Check for breathing (Ear 5cm from the patient’s mouth)
  • Look for movement of the chest and upper abdomen
  • Listen for sounds of normal breathing, with your ear close to the patient’s nose and mouth
  • Feel with your cheek for any movement of air from the patient’s mouth or nose. Also feel the chest and upper abdomen for movement.
  • If patient is breathing roll into the recovery/lateral position and monitor breathing and airway.

If not breathing:

• Roll the patient back (if applicable) and commence with two rescue breaths
  • Pistol grip
  • Ensure backward head tilt and chin lift to ensure a clear airway
  • Mouth to mask is preferable
• Commence CPR
  • 30 compressions to 2 breaths
  • Hand at 90 degrees to the sternum
  • Centre of chest
  • Compress one third the depth of the chest
  • Ensure you allow the chest to fully recoil between compressions
  • Perform five cycles approximately every 2 minutes continually assessing for signs of life
• Continue CPR until
  • The patient recovers (breathing and signs of life are restored)
  • Someone takes over
  • The Patient is taken into the care of a Doctor or Paramedic
  • You can’t physically go any longer.

Two (2) Person CPR Guidelines

If two lifesavers are available:

• Second person introduces themself
• Ensure help has been called and is on the way
• Second person takes over compressions
• First person takes on rescue breathing
• Count compressions out loud so your partner can hear you
• Change over ECC operator ever two minutes to avoid fatigue
• Changeover time of operators is less than four minutes.

If the patient vomits:

• ECC operator hip and shoulder rolls the patient onto their side towards them
• Operator on the head holds the head at all times
• Pistol grip and mouth pointing toward the ground to assist drainage
• ECC operator looks into the patient’s mouth and clears the airway
• Operator on the patient’s head checks for breathing
• Ear 5cm from patient’s mouth

Management of the patient after CPR

• Place the patient in the lateral/recovery position
• Administer Oxygen therapy
• Ensure the airway is open and clear
• Continue to check for signs of life
• Protect the patient from the elements
• Reassure conscious patients
• Leave any defibrillator pads attached
• All patients who have received CPR must be referred to hospital

  Download CPR Chart