Pre-reading
C = Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation [CPR]
Position the casualty on their back on a firm, flat surface.
Locate the centre of the chest.
Use 2 hands: deliver 30 compressions at a rate of approximately 100–120 compressions per minute, that is almost 2 compressions every second!
Depression depth is approximately one third of the chest depth, which is about 5 to 7 cm in an adult.
Give 2 breaths (use barrier mask if available), check to see inflation of the lungs. If the chest does not rise ensure you have appropriate backwards head tilt and jaw lift and an adequate air seal by covering all of the casualty’s mouth and sealing the nose with your fingers or cheek.
Continue to deliver 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths until an ambulance arrives, the casualty recovers or the first aider is unable to continue, usually due to physical exhaustion.
If unwilling /unable to perform rescue breaths continue chest compresions.
For a person using the Symbicort (Symbicort as both reliever and preventer) SMART program a special first aid management plan exists that does not use a blue reliever. However, if the casualty does not have a Symbicort inhaler available then follow the Asthma 4 x 4 first aid response steps.