Frequently Asked Questions
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CPR Skills
Airway
- Why don't I routinely roll someone on their side to clear their airway?
There is no need to roll a casualty on their side if their airway is clear of vomit or other fluids or objects. Only when the airway is obstructed should the casualty be rolled on their side to clear their airway.
The airway can be appropriately viewed using the pistol grip and head tilt whilst the casualty is lying on their back. If required the casualty can then be rolled on their side so their airway can be cleared.
- What if the casualty has sustained severe injuries around the mouth?
Ask the triple zero (000) ambulance communications officer for advice. They will prompt you on what to do.
Additionally, this topic is covered in more detail in first aid training. For further information on CPR or first aid training contact the QAS on 1300 369 003 or alternatively www.ambulance.qld.gov.au.
Breathing
- Why has the term changed from mouth to mouth to rescue breathing?
This change was made as the term ‘Rescue Breathing’ best represents the skill we want people to achieve.
The term ‘Rescue Breathing’ is already being used universally.
- What do they mean by normal breathing?
Normal, healthy adults will breathe between 12 and 18 times per minute. Signs of abnormal breathing may include gasping, noisy breathing such as wheezing or gurgling, breathing that is excessively fast (greater than 21 breaths per minute) or pain on breathing.
Infrequent gasps of air may be seen in a cardiac arrest. However this is not indicative of effective breathing and CPR is required.
- How does Rescue Breathing resuscitation work when what I breathe out is carbon dioxide?
The air we breathe in contains about 21% oxygen and the rest is mostly nitrogen. We use only around one-quarter of the oxygen in each breath so we are actually breathing out air with about 16% oxygen content. That is still enough to keep a person alive.
Compressions
- Why do you push on the breastbone when doing chest compressions?
You need to circulate the blood as well as breathe for a casualty in cardiac arrest. You can maintain artificial blood flow by compressing the heart between the breastbone (sternum) and the backbone.
- How do I know how far to push the chest during CPR?
The compression depth for an adult is approximately one-third the depth of the chest. This is approximately 4–5 cm in an adult. You should feel resistance from the chest wall.
- Can I crack a rib or injure the sternum through pressing too hard while doing chest compressions?
It is possible. However, provided common sense and a calm, gentle but firm approach to the compressions are followed, the potential benefits of chest compressions far outweigh any potential for injury. If ribs break during compressions, stop and ensure your hand placement is in the centre of the chest and recommence chest compressions.
- What should I do if a person's clothing is in the way when I'm trying to perform CPR?
It is acceptable and appropriate to remove any garments that impede your ability to perform CPR effectively. CPR is an emergency life-saving procedure where pressure is required directly over the sternum. However, you should remove garments from a casualty only if you feel comfortable doing so. If not, you should still perform CPR over the top of the garments. When paramedics arrive on scene, they will do whatever is necessary to ensure CPR is most effective. Just remember, CPR performed over the top of clothing is better than no CPR at all.
- If a person suffering a cardiac arrest does not get CPR, how long does it take before they may sustain brain damage?
This will vary according to the age and the general state of health of the casualty prior to the cardiac arrest. The brain is very sensitive to oxygen starvation. After four minutes, brain damage is possible. After 6-10 minutes brain damage is likely. Over 10 minutes without oxygen will almost certainly lead to brain damage. To minimise the risk of brain damage, CPR should be commenced immediately.
- Is it necessary to use any special equipment when doing CPR?
You do not need any equipment to do CPR. Some equipment may be useful to assist with learning, for example a training manikin to simulate resuscitation.
People with a high probability of having to administer CPR, such as health workers and police, may prefer to use a face shield or resuscitation mask as a barrier between the rescuer and the casualty’s mouth. These are available from chemists or first aid training providers, but they are not essential. The absence of a face shield should not prevent you from administering Rescue Breathing to a non-breathing person. If you are unwilling to commence Rescue Breathing, evidence indicates that chest compressions alone may have some benefit.
- Is CPR different for babies and children?
Yes. Performing CPR on babies and young children is different due to the obvious physical differences. The CPR for Life program focuses specifically on adult CPR. For further information on CPR or first aid training contact the QAS on 1300 369 003 or alternatively www.ambulance.qld.gov.au
- Do all ambulances in Queensland currently carry defibrillators?
Yes, all QAS ambulances carry a defibrillator.
- What is the chance of survival for a person suffering a cardiac arrest who gets CPR?
CPR alone will not save a life. However, it will increase a casualty’s chance of survival. It is important to recognise that, in some situations, a cardiac arrest will be irreversible, regardless of treatment or intervention, usually because of age or disease process.
Premature death may be prevented in those cases where the heart has less substantial damage, or where there has been a ‘malfunction’ in the electrical current such as ventricular fibrillation that may be corrected by a defibrillator.
- If I do CPR correctly can I expect the person to spontaneously start breathing or recover before the ambulance arrives?
CPR buys time for the casualty, and is a manual method of breathing and circulating oxygenated blood for a person who is unable to perform this for themselves. Very rarely will a person who has been in cardiac arrest recover spontaneously before receiving advanced care from the ambulance. The earlier CPR is administered (even if it isn’t perfect), the greater the chance of survival when the paramedics arrive. Some CPR at the immediate scene of the arrest is better than no CPR at all.
- Why do I call for an ambulance before starting CPR?
CPR on its own will not restart a heart in cardiac arrest. The key treatment for a cardiac arrest is early defibrillation, therefore it is important to call for an ambulance before starting CPR. This will ensure that a defibrillator will arrive as soon as possible.
Risk of infection
- Can I catch a disease providing CPR?
The possibility of disease transmission through CPR is low according to the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC, 2002: 1). However, to overcome any concerns you might have about disease transmission, face shields can be purchased for use in CPR. As most cardiac arrests occur in the home it is very likely that the person requiring CPR will be a spouse, relative or someone known to you.
- Can I catch a disease from a training manikin?
The Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) is the body that establishes guidelines for resuscitation in Australia. The ARC states that training on a manikin is safe if manikins are maintained, disinfected and used according to manufacturer and ARC guidelines (ARC, 2001: 1).
In summary, catching a disease from a manikin is extremely unlikely, provided a few simple precautions are taken. As a CPR for Life schools coordinator it is your responsibility to ensure manikin equipment is cleaned and disinfected at the end of each training session.
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Last updated 6 February 2007
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