What to do in the event of cardiac arrest in an adult.
- Start CPR immediately by repeating cycles of thirty chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths; it is advisable for the first-aider to wear gloves, but this must not under any circumstances delay or prevent CPR.
- Activate the AED as soon as possible and follow the device’s instructions; if there are two first-aiders without an AED, one first-aider continues chest compressions whilst the other calls for medical assistance and returns with an AED to activate it. If there are two first-aiders with a defibrillator, one first-aider continues chest compressions whilst the other activates the defibrillator. They must call for medical assistance immediately after the first analysis and any subsequent delivery of the first shock. With three or more first-aiders, the three actions (alerting emergency services, chest compressions and AED use) must be carried out simultaneously. The AED electrodes must be applied to the victim without interrupting the CPR manoeuvres. The interruption of chest compressions must be kept to a minimum during rescue breathing.
- Continue CPR until the AED prompts you to stop;
- Resume CPR immediately after delivering or not delivering an electric shock, without waiting for the AED’s voice prompts;
- Administer oxygen by insufflation; Oxygen should be administered to the casualty on artificial ventilation as soon as possible, without delaying the initiation of resuscitation procedures.
- Suction secretions if necessary; when suctioning secretions, this must not delay or interrupt CPR or the delivery of an electric shock.
- Insert an oropharyngeal airway, if necessary; an oropharyngeal airway is inserted if artificial ventilation is ineffective due to difficulty in keeping the casualty’s airways clear.
- Continue the resuscitation that has been started until medical support arrives or normal breathing resumes. To ensure effective CPR, first-aiders should take turns every two minutes. This change should be made whilst the AED is analysing the heart rhythm, if one is in use.
If the victim starts to wake up (moves, opens their eyes and is breathing normally):
- stop chest compressions and ventilation;
- carry out a life-threatening emergency assessment and ensure constant monitoring of consciousness and breathing whilst keeping the casualty on their back;
- be prepared to resume CPR due to the high risk of a recurrence of cardiac arrest.