Basic Life Support

This is done if the person is having a (-) pulse and (-) breathing CPR (+) pulse and () breathing (RB)

How do we check pulse and breathing?

For Pulse:
Adult locate the carotid pulse on the neck (10 secs) (60-90 bpm)
Child (80-100 bpm/min)
Infants locate the brachial pulse (100-120 bpm)
Newborn 120-160 bpm
For Breathing:
Adult (12-20 cpm) look for the rise and fall of the chest and feel if there is an air
coming from the nose (10 secs)
Child (18-25 cpm)
Infants (25-35 cpm)
Newborn (36-60 cpm)
Breathing and Circulation
- When breathing and circulation stop
* 0-4 minutes = brain damage not likely
* 4-6 minutes = damage probable
- When the brain has been deprived of oxygenated blood for a period of 6 minutes or
more
* An irreversible damage probably occurred.
* 6-10 minutes = brain damage probable (coma)
* Over 10 minutes = brain damage is certain (dead)
- Air that enters the lungs contains about 21% oxygen and only a trace of 0.4%
carbon dioxide. Air that is exhaled from the lungs contains about 16% oxygen and
4% carbon dioxide.
- The right side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs where blood picks up oxygen
and releases carbon dioxide.
- The oxygenated blood then returns to the left side of the heart where it pumped to
the tissue of the body.
- All body tissues require oxygen but then brain requires more than any other tissue.
Cardiovascular Disease
1. Risk factors that cannot be change (non-modifiable)
- Heredity, Age and Gender
2. Risk factor that can be changed or controlled (modifiable)
- Cigarette smoking
- Hypertension
- Elevated cholesterol
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Lack of exercise
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Obesity
Stress

Myocardial Infarction
occurs when the oxygen supply to the heart muscle (myocardium) is cut-off for a
prolonged period of time. This cut-off result from a reduced blood supply due to
severe narrowing or complete blocking of the diseased artery. The result is death
(infarction) of the affected part of the heart.
Levine Sign (universal sign for heart attack) within a heart attack, every minute
counts
Ex: Clenching of fist and touching the chest
Warning Signs for Heart Attack
Chest discomfort characterized by:
- Uncomfortable pressure
- Fullness or tightness
- Aching
- Crushing
- Oppressive or Heavy
- Numbness
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Constricting
- Tingling sensations
First Aid Management of Heart Attack
- Recognized the signs and of the heart attack and take action
- Have patient stop what he or she is doing and have him/her sit or lie down in a
comfortable position.
- Do not let the patient move around
- Have someone call the physician or ambulance for help.
- If patient is under medical care, assist him/her in taking his/her prescribed medicines
Guidelines in Giving Emergency Care
1. Planning of action.
2. Gathering of needed materials
3. Remember the initial response as follows:
A Ask for help
I Intervene
D Do not do further harm
4. Instruction to helper/s

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