Equipment Used for CPR: A Comprehensive Guide (2024)

CPR is all about getting blood flow and oxygen to the brain.When it comes to first aid training supplies, cpr manikins are a must. In regards to real life first aid supplies, it is recommended that each medical facility appoint a designated person responsible for regularly checking the state of readiness of all resuscitation equipment and drugs, including the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Ideally, this should be done on a weekly basis. Similar to drugs, disposable items such as adhesive electrodes have a limited shelf life and should be replaced periodically if unused.

Equipment Used For CPR

Choosing resuscitation equipment that is user-friendly and easy to maintain is important since it is not frequently used. It is crucial for staff to be aware of the location of equipment when needed and to receive training on its proper use according to their assigned responsibilities.

Recommended CPR Training Equipment

• Oxygen mask with reservoir bag
• Pocket Mask and one way valve
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED) with electrodes and razor
• Syringe and needles
• Oxygen cylinder (of suitable size to deliver high flow o2 for a minimum of 30 minutes)
• Epinephrine/Adrenaline
• Atropine
• Tape
• Gloves
• Sharps box
• Scissors
• Suction
• Saline flush
• Tissues
• IV fluids
• Self-inflating bag with reservoir (BVM) – Adult
• Self-inflating bag with reservoir (BVM) – Child
• Oropharyngeal (Guedel) airways
• Amiodarone
• Naloxone

Defibrillators

A defibrillator is a medical device used to deliver an electrical shock to the heart in order to restore its normal rhythm. It is commonly used in cases of cardiac arrest or when the heart is beating in an irregular rhythm such as ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia.

The electrical shock from a defibrillator can stop the heart momentarily and allow the heart’s natural pacemaker to restart it in a regular rhythm.

Defibrillators are commonly used in hospitals, emergency medical services, and public places such as airports and sports arenas. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are portable defibrillators that can be used by non-medical professionals to provide life-saving care in emergencies.

The latest first aid responder automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are lightweight, portable, compact, and cost-effective, with easy-to-use features. They also perform self-checks and prompt when maintenance or battery replacement is needed.

The success of defibrillation is highly dependent on time, with the chances of successful resuscitation decreasing by approximately 10% per minute of delayed defibrillation. Practices with their own defibrillator tend to perform attempted defibrillation earlier than those depending on the ambulance service to provide one.

It is crucial for every healthcare practice to have an AED readily available on-site and someone capable of using it whenever patients are present. AEDs should also be accessible to those providing medical coverage outside regular practice hours, whether working alone or as part of a larger out-of-hours service.

An AED should be present wherever patients are seen, whether in the surgery or elsewhere, and taken to patients during visits when a risk of cardiopulmonary arrest is likely.

After use, the AED must be returned to a state of readiness following the manufacturer’s instructions, and disposable items must be reordered to ensure adequate stocks are available.

Airway Management

Airway management refers to the set of techniques and procedures used to establish and maintain a patient’s airway for the purpose of oxygenation and ventilation. It involves the assessment, maintenance, and restoration of the patency of the airway in order to allow for the passage of air to and from the lungs.

Airway management is crucial in many medical settings, such as emergency medicine, critical care, anaesthesia, and resuscitation, where the inability to maintain a patent airway can result in hypoxemia (low oxygen levels) and respiratory failure.

Airway management may involve interventions such as suctioning, bag-mask ventilation, placement of an artificial airway (such as an endotracheal tube), or the use of advanced airway techniques such as video laryngoscopy or fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

Oxygen

Oxygen is a crucial element for life, and in medical emergencies, it plays a vital role in resuscitation. The current resuscitation guidelines emphasise the importance of oxygen, and it should be readily available in all medical settings.

In order to ensure that oxygen is readily available, it is essential to maintain oxygen cylinders appropriately and adhere to national safety standards.

In a medical emergency such as cardiopulmonary arrest, administering high flow oxygen can be lifesaving. Therefore, each practice should have guidelines in place that allow non-medical staff to administer oxygen in these situations.

It is important to note that the administration of oxygen should only be performed by individuals who have been trained and are competent in its use.

Oxygen is used in a variety of other medical situations, including patients with respiratory distress or hypoxemia. The use of oxygen therapy in these situations can improve oxygen delivery to the body’s tissues and organs, thereby reducing the risk of complications such as organ failure.

It is crucial to monitor oxygen levels in patients receiving oxygen therapy to ensure that they are receiving an appropriate amount of oxygen. Too much oxygen can lead to complications such as oxygen toxicity, while too little can result in hypoxemia and tissue damage.

Suction

The use of suction devices is critical in medical settings to remove excess fluids or secretions from a patient’s airway or surgical site. However, some suction devices come with limitations that can impact their functionality and practicality.

One such limitation is the need for batteries, which can be a disadvantage, especially for equipment that is used infrequently.

It is recommended to use simple, mechanical, portable, and hand-held suction devices. These types of devices are cost-effective, do not require electricity or batteries, and can be used in any location. They are particularly useful in emergency situations, where time is of the essence, and medical personnel need to act quickly to save a patient’s life.

Drugs

When administering drugs in the context of cardiopulmonary arrest, it is recommended to give them intravenously, preferably through a catheter placed in a large vein, such as in the antecubital fossa.

The medication should be flushed with a bolus of IV fluid and administered by healthcare professionals. In emergency situations, drugs may be given through a needle placed in a large peripheral vein using a syringe. Although there is a risk of extravasation, it is acceptable if the patient is in cardiopulmonary arrest.

For patients with a tracheal tube in place, many drugs can be given via the bronchial route. The dose for epinephrine/adrenaline and atropine is double the IV dose.

It is important to note that the use of drugs in the context of cardiopulmonary arrest should be approached with caution and administered by trained healthcare providers. The doses should be carefully calculated based on the patient’s weight and medical history. Additionally, regular monitoring of the patient’s response to the medication is necessary to adjust the dose or change the medication if necessary.

CPR Training And First Aid Training

CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training and First Aid training are essential skills that can save lives in emergency situations. Both types of training aim to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to provide immediate care to someone experiencing a medical emergency until professional help arrives.

CPR training involves learning how to perform chest compressions and rescue breathing on a person experiencing cardiac arrest or in the case of training, cpr manikins. The aim of CPR is to maintain circulation and oxygenation of the blood to the brain and vital organs until the heart can be restarted.

CPR training is typically offered by healthcare providers, community organisations, and through online courses. The timeframe of CPR training courses are generally short and could save a life. The training covers the steps involved in performing CPR on an adult, child, or infant, as well as the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to help restore the heart’s rhythm.

First Aid training is a more comprehensive course that teaches individuals how to respond to a wide range of medical emergencies. This includes learning how to manage bleeding, broken bones, burns, and other common injuries. First Aid and cpr training also covers how to recognise and respond to medical emergencies such as heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and allergic reactions. The training also teaches individuals how to assess the situation, prioritise care, and provide initial treatment until professional medical help arrives.

Both CPR training and First Aid training are typically hands-on courses that involve practice on manikins or simulated emergencies and other cpr training supplies. Certification programs are available for both First aid and CPR training, and it is recommended that individuals complete a refresher course every two years to ensure their skills remain current.

CPR Training Supplies

First aid training supplies and CPR training supplies are essential for anyone who wants to learn how to respond to emergencies effectively.

First aid training supplies typically include bandages, gauze, face shield, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, scissors, and gloves, among other items. These supplies are used to treat wounds, burns, and other injuries until professional medical help arrives.

On the other hand, CPR training supplies are designed to teach individuals how to perform chest compressions and rescue breathing on someone who has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped beating. CPR training supplies may include manikins, face shields, and training manuals. Having access to these supplies can help ensure that students are properly trained and equipped to respond to emergencies, potentially saving lives in the process.

What are first aid training manikins? In first aid training, training manikins serve different purposes. They allow for the teaching of various skills such as CPR, resuscitation, general first aid, and others. Training manikins are utilised when it is not feasible to train certain skills on real individuals, but training is still necessary. These manikins provide the opportunity to practise life-saving techniques without the need for a live person and ensure the student’s progress is up to scratch.