Danyelle Barber Essays - Medicine, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Danyelle Barber Page #1 CPR Compare and Contrast CPR is a very important technique to learn. Everyday people use CPR to save lives. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, anyone in your family can be a victim of choking or breathing difficulties that could lead to death. But there is always a chance for them to be saved. But what if an infant stops breathing? Would you know what to do? There are several similarities between adult and infant CPR but there are also numerous differences. Adult and infant CPR has many similarities. The CPR sequence used by rescuers for both adult and infant CPR is the same. The rescuer must clear the scene, check for responses, check for pulse or respirations, and then call for help. Once CPR is needed, the rescuer must start compressions and give breaths. Also the number of breaths given after compression is the same for an adult and infant at a number of 2. Lastly, the ratio for compressions and breaths for a single rescuer are both 30 compressions for every 2 breaths. Although there are similarities between adult and infant CPR, there are also a lot of differences between the two. When using AED pads the placement and size is entirely different. On an adult victim AED pads are larger while placed on the upper right chest area and the lower left chest area. Using AED pads on infant requires for the pads to be smaller and one to be placed on the front of the chest and the other on the middle of the back. While performing CPR hand placement is crucial. On an adult victim, the hand-over-hand technique is used. On the other hand the thumbs-circling-hands technique is used with an infant victim. A final difference while performing adult and infant CPR is the depth of compressions. On an adult victim the rescuer would do a 5cm depth compression; on an infant the rescuer would do a 4 cm depth compression. Although there are some similarities, there are many differences when dealing with adult and infant CPR. It is very important to know these similarities and differences. Also it is important to know how to perform the techniques used while performing CPR on an adult or infant. If those techniques are done properly, then the routine of CPR will be successful . One day those techniques could save someone's hu sband, wife, friend or family member.