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Checklist: Action at suspicion of cardiac arrest

The fixed sequence from recognition to defibrillator

§Recognise and alarm.

  • 01Check consciousness: speak to the person and gently shake shoulders
  • 02Create open airways: bend head gently back lift chin
  • 03See listen and feel for normal breathing for up to 10 seconds
  • 04No normal breathing: call 1-1-2 and put on speaker
  • 05Send someone to get a defibrillator

§Perform heart-lung resuscitation

  • 01Start chest compressions in the middle of the chest – push hard and fast
  • 02Let the chest rise fully between compressions
  • 03Switch between compressions and ventilations as learned in the course
  • 04Feel free to switch helpers along the way to maintain quality

§Use the defibrillator

  • 01Turn on the defibrillator and follow its spoken instructions
  • 02Place the electrodes on the bare chest as shown
  • 03Stand free during analysis and shock
  • 04Continue CPR between shocks until professional help takes over