FIRST AID ( EAR –CPR )

Definition
EAR (Expired Air Resuscitation) is used when a person has stopped breathing
(respiratory arrest). CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is necessary when the
patient has no heart beat (cardiac arrest). EAR and CPR can provide oxygen to the
body and may restore heartbeat and breathing. They are life-saving first aid
measures that everyone should learn. Without a heartbeat, the body will be deprived
of oxygen. Brain damage can occur after 4 minutes without oxygen, and complete
brain death is likely after 10 minutes.

Description
WHEN TO PERFORM EAR/CPR.
If you find an unconscious person, DO NOT LEAVE THEM ALONE. Shout for
someone to call an ambulance. If you are alone, do not leave the person to find help
until you are certain they are breathing and have a heartbeat. Remember the
acronym DRABC (think Doctor, A,B,C) and follow these steps first.
D- Danger. Remove the patient from danger e.g. a fire, electricity source, pool or
road.
R- Response. Shout the patient's name, check for pain response by pinching the
upper ear. If no response;
A- Airway. Turn the patient onto their side and gently scoop one finger through the
mouth to clear any foreign matter away. Turn them onto their back and gently tilt the
head back to open the airway. (Do not tilt the head on babies less than 1 year old.)
B- Breathing. LOOK for the rise and fall of the chest, LISTEN for breathing and FEEL
for air leaving the patient's mouth or nose. If breathing is present, turn the patient on
their side again and wait for help. If there is no breathing, commence EAR.
C- Circulation. Check the carotid pulse, which is next to the Adam's apple in the
neck. If the pulse is present, continue EAR and wait for help. If the pulse is absent,
begin CPR.

- A casualty who has stopped breathing and has a pulse needs only EAR (Expired
Air Resuscitation).
- A casualty who has both stopped breathing and whose has no pulse needs both
EAR and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation).
- It is not possible to be breathing if there is no pulse.
- Time is critical - 4 minutes or more without oxygen can lead to brain damage.

EAR TECHNIQUE
- Turn the patient onto their back and open the airway by placing one hand on the
forehead to tilt the head back. Support the jaw with your fingers in a 'pistol grip'
position. Only remove dentures if they are broken or loose.
- Make a tight seal around the patient's mouth with your mouth. Close the patient's
nostrils with your cheek. For babies, cover both the nose and mouth with your mouth.
Breathe steadily into the patient until you see the chest rise. Each breath should last
about 1 to 2 seconds, with a pause in between to let the air flow back out. Watch the
chest rise as you breathe in to ensure that your breaths are actually going into the
lungs, and watch as the chest falls.

Step 1. Give 5 quick breaths in 10 seconds.

Step 2. Check for a carotid pulse after giving the 5 full breaths.
Step 3. If the casualty has a pulse but is not breathing, continue EAR. Adults and
older children need 1 breath every four seconds (15 breaths per minute). Babies
need 1 breath every 3 seconds (20 breaths per minute).
Step 4. Recheck the pulse and breathing every two minutes. If breathing returns,
place the patient on their side and wait for the ambulance (or call one if you haven't
already).

CPR TECHNIQUE
- Lie the patient completely flat on a firm surface.
- Kneel beside the patient. Position yourself midway between the chest and the head
in order to move easily between compressions and breaths.
Hand position.
- Find the mid point of the breastbone (sternum).
- For adults: place the heel of your compressing hand on the breastbone just below
the midpoint. Grasp your wrist with your other hand, or place the other hand on top of
the first.
- For children: Use one hand only.
- For babies: Use the tips of two fingers.
Compression technique.
- For adults: Keep your shoulders directly over your hands and keep your arms
straight. Lean the weight of your upper body onto your hands to compress the chest.
Keep a steady, even rhythm and do not "jab" with your hands or punch the
breastbone.
- For adults, compress about 4-5cm.
- For children, compress about 2-3cm.
- For babies, compress about 1-2cm.
- Each compression lasts less than one second. After each compression, release the
pressure on the chest without losing contact with it and allow the chest to return to its
normal position before starting the next compression.
EAR/CPR Breathing/Compression rate.
If you are alone:
- For an adult, give 15 compressions followed by 2 breaths over 15 seconds.
- For a child or baby, give 15 compressions and 2 breaths over 10 seconds.
If there are two people:
- One person does the breathing and one does compressions.
- Give 5 compressions followed by 1 breath. The person doing the compressions can
count "One, two, three, four, five, BREATHE" to help maintain a rhythm.
- Check pulse and breathing every two minutes.
- If the pulse returns, STOP compressions immediately. Continue with EAR if there is
no breathing.
- If breathing and pulse return, place the patient on their side and wait for an
ambulance.
Mouth to mouth (or mouth to nose) resuscitation:

1-Tilt victim's head back 2-Pull or push the jaw 3-Open your mouth wide,
so chin points upward into a jutting-out position place it tightly over the Or close nostrils with the
victim's mouth. Pinch pressure of your cheek
victim's nostrils shut.

Or close the victim's 4-Blow into the victim's Remove your mouth,
mouth and place your mouth or nose turn your head to the
mouth over the nose side, listen for return of
air from victim's lungs.