Skills: 1 Person CPR

To perform 1 person CPR, you must be able to perform both chest compression and ventilations. The current guidelines recommend 30 compressions followed by 2 ventilations with this being repeated 5 times. Go here for information on how to perform compressions. Go here for information on how to perform ventilations.

The sections below contain information related to performing 1 person CPR:

  1. Proper Emphasis
  2. On SmartMan
  3. How to Improve
  4. Common Errors

SmartMan bullet Proper Emphasis
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When you perform 1 person CPR you are by yourself. However the rate and the way compressions and ventilations are performed, and the timing for both are still the same.

There is very little time to get the ventilations done and then get back onto the chest. Also, even during the change from compressions to ventilations and back to compressions, the over all timing for the total cycle is running. It is important to the victim that there is as little interruption as possible.

The current research suggests that compressions are more important than the ventilations. The compressing of the chest is more important than the ventilations in a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).

Placement of the BVM: Place it close to the head where it is easy to quickly grasp. When you have given the two ventilations, quickly set the BVM back into a position where it is easy to grasp on the next set. Do NOT throw it to the side as this will slow you down on the next cycle.

Ventilations: Pull the head back, get a good seal and push air into the lungs. Although the time is short, still the inspiration must take a second (this is much slower than most people perform it). Squeeze the BVM for a second. It is common to squeeze it so hard that the volume of .5l - .6l is exceeded in about a third of a second. If you inspire too quickly, the air will go into the stomach.

As soon as the air has expired give the next breath. On finishing the inspiration, move quickly back to the chest. DO NOT wait.

Compressions: Move onto the chest as quickly as possible. As soon as you have finished the inspiration, move onto the chest and begin the next set of 30 chest compressions.

Performing all your compressions correctly and getting them all done will help you patient the most. If you fail to get a ventilation, do NOT spend time trying again and again. Get back onto the compressions.

SmartMan bullet On SmartManredbar
At the Main Menu select "CPR", then the option you want. On SmartMan there are two different ways to PRACTICE performing CPR, by yourself or with a partner. Also you must select whether you practice with the aid of the real time feedback (Select Intermediate) or without the feedback (Select Advanced).

1 Person CPR PRACTICE

 

Click on this button. On the next page choose Intermediate or Advanced.

On the final page, press the SPACE BAR to start. You begin the practice by performing the first compression. SmartMan will now display and record all information as you perform.

CPR 1 PERSON TEST
Click on this button. On the next page press on the SPACE BAR. You begin the practice by performing the first compression. SmartMan will now display and record all information as you perform.

SmartMan not only examines each skill, but also records the times associated with each compression and each ventilation and the total times for each cycle along with the total time. Timing is the most difficult aspect of perform 1 person CPR.

Practice or Test Aborted
If when you are performing CPR, zero air is measured going into the lungs in the space of 4 seconds, the practice or test will be stopped and you must start again. You must register at least some amount of air to proceed.

 How to Improve

You can get your performance scores up and thus help a victim by practicing the following.

  • Careful Placement of the BVM
  • Head tilt-chin lift and strong seal in one movement.
  • Inspiration of .5 - .6l is deliver in 1 second, immediately release the BVM so that the expiration takes about a second
  • Carefully but quickly place the BVM so it will be easy to pick up on the next cycle.
  • Move quickly and confidently to the chest and begin compressions immediately.
  • Regardless of whether or not you get a ventilation performed, from the end of the last compression to the start of the next one should be a maximum of 4 seconds.


No matter what you do on the ventilation, do not take more than 4 seconds.

Concentrate on the compressions and get them correct.

bullet Common Errors
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BVM is thrown after a set of ventilations. While this is done in the haste to get back onto the chest, this means that on the start of the next ventilations, the BVM has to be found and grabbed.

Too Much time trying to get air into the lungs: People have a hard time getting a good seal or getting air into the lungs. They continue to try to get a ventilation in and often the time runs to 8, 9 or 10 seconds. This is not acceptable as it causes problems for the victim.

Too Much time getting into position to perform the ventilation. There is NO time to scoot around to the head of the patient. You have 4 seconds to give the 2 ventilations and re-start the compressions. The most effective way is to practice giving ventilations from the same position you deliver the compressions.

Too Much time trying to get a seal and proper head tilt. This must be done as a single practiced movement. You have 4 seconds to give the 2 ventilations and re-start the compressions.


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