Figure 1-8. Effects of chest compression. A Compression. B Release.
1-12. PROCEDURE FOR CHEST COMPRESSIONS
Be sure the casualty is in the supine position. If the head is elevated above the
heart, less or sometimes no blood gets to the brain. If necessary, a board can be
placed under the patient's chest to provide a firm, flat surface for the patient to lie on.
a. Locate the Compression Site. Determine proper hand position in this
manner:
(1) Using the middle and index finger of your hand which is nearest the
casualty's legs, find the lower margin of his rib cage on the side of his body closest to
you. See figure 1-9 A .
(2) Move your fingers up the casualty's rib cage to the notch where the ribs
meet the sternum in the center of the lower part of the chest.
(3) Keep your middle finger on this notch and place your index finger next to
the middle finger on the lower end of the sternum. See figure 1-9 B .
(4) Your other hand has been on the casualty's forehead to keep his head in
position maintaining the airway. Put the heel of that hand on the lower half of the
sternum, close to the index finger that is next to the middle finger in the notch. The
thumb side of that hand should be against the index finger of the other hand. The heel
is now on the compression site. See figure 1-9 C .
MD0571
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