This month, Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry completed our two-year CPR training course. All clinical staff are required to learn two-person resuscitation methods (in addition to standard CPR) as part of our licensure and operational requirements. Even under the most cautious guidelines, medical emergencies can arise in a dental office. These training sessions help us recognize and manage crises as they happen. For your own knowledge, here are some of the American Heart Association’s most up-to-date recommendations on CPR methods:
- The familiar “ABC’s” of CPR have recently (as of 2010) switched to “CAB.” This means starting with compressions, then checking airways and finally providing artificial breathing.
- Chest compressions should depress the chest about two inches, at a pace of 100 compressions/minute.
- After about 30 compressions, check the airway using a head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver.
- If the individual is still not breathing, provide two rescue breaths, while watching to make sure their chest is rising (signifying the lungs are filling).
- If available, an AED can be critical in restoring normal cardiac function.
- If you are untrained in CPR, just provide compressions (100 compressions/minute, two inch depressions) until paramedics arrive
- Always remember to have someone call 911. This critical step can be easily overlooked in emergency situations.
- For more in-depth instructions, take a look at this great article put out by the Mayo Clinic