LESSON 4
PERFORM CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION ON AN ADULT
4-1.
THE ONE-RESCUER METHOD
There are two basic methods of administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR) to an adult casualty--the one-rescuer method and the two-rescuer method. The
one-rescuer method is used when you have no one available to help you perform CPR.
The two-rescuer method is used when you have an assistant available. The one-
rescuer method is presented in this paragraph and the two-rescuer method is presented
in paragraph 4-2. In this paragraph, it is assumed that you have already moved the
casualty to safety if required (paragraph 3-1), checked for spinal injury (paragraph 3-4),
opened the airway and administered two ventilations (paragraphs 3-6 through 3-9),
found the airway unblocked or have removed any blockage (Lesson 5), and have found
the casualty's carotid pulse to be absent (paragraph 3-11).
a. Position the Casualty on a Firm Surface. Chest compressions must be
performed with the casualty lying on a firm surface. If you have not already placed the
casualty on a firm surface, do so now. The casualty's body should be in the same
position as used in initiating rescue breathing (paragraph 3-5).
b. Position Yourself. Kneel at the side of the casualty's chest.
c. Call for Help Again. If help has not arrived, call for help again. If an
assistant is available, have him seek help (telephone, radio, and so forth). Remember,
for the adult chain of survival (figure 4-1), you should phone first before initiating CPR.
Figure 4-1. The chain of survival.
d. Locate the Compression Area. Locate the site on the casualty's chest
where the force of the chest compression is to be applied. The method described below
is normally used, but other methods can be used if they locate the same compression
site.
(1) Take the index and middle finger of your hand that is nearest the
casualty's feet and locate the lower edge of the casualty's rib cage (figure 4-2A).
MD0532
4-2