Basic Life Support- What Everyone Should Know

Everyone should know what to do when something "isn't right" with a loved one. I have listed 5 easy steps that you should know if someone becomes unconscious. I have been around friends before who wouldn't know what to do if someone went down around them. So, be ready if something like this ever happens. Know what to do and how to do it right to save a life. It's better to have an understanding and knowledge than just to stand back and watch.

1. Feel for a carotid pulse. This pulse is found on the side but frontal part of the neck just below the jaw line.

2. If patient has no pulse. Call for help and if in an area with an AED (shock) machine grab it and hook it up to the patient. If no AED begin chest compressions now.

3. When doing chest compression's push hard and fast in the middle of the sternum (in between the nipple line). You should be pushing at a rate of 110 compression's and minute and push at least 2 inches deep. This will be hard at first and you will feel a "crunch" as ribs will be breaking.

4. Continue to do 30 compression's then give two breaths. To do this, tilt the head back, plug their nose and blow into the mouth. When doing this, look at the chest for rise and fall. This will signal whether or not you are giving adequate breaths. After 2 breaths get back to compression's.

5. Continue doing this cycle of 30 compression's then 2 breaths until help arrives. The sooner you realize someone doesn't have a pulse, the better just because starting compression right away can save their life.

The best way to ensure proper care of someone who is unresponsive is to get certified. Look up places to get certified in your area. Most hospitals offer certification classes. This is a good class to take, because you never know when you might need to do CPR, so be ready when and if it happens.