Cardiac Arrest Management, February 2013

Overview and Purpose

  1. Firefighters should have a working knowledge of when and how to initiate Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in a cardiac arrest medical incident.
  2. It is important that firefighters are proficient in patient assessment and the skills required in a cardiac arrest incident
  3. Firefighters will learn refresh on the skills and equipment that this Fire District utilizes to provide care to cardiac arrest victims.

Objectives

Cognitive Objectives

  1. Discuss when not to initiate CPR.
  2. Obviously mortal injuries (decapitation, significant cranial trauma)
  3. Dependent Lividity
  4. Presence of an approved "Do Not Resuscitate Order" or signed "Living Will"
  1. Discuss when to initiate CPR.
  2. Discus the tools utilized in a a cardiac arrest incident.
  3. Discuss issues surrounding the families of cardiac arrest patients
  4. Discuss communication between the members of the crew.

Affective Objectives

  1. Explain how to approach and deal with cardiac arrest incidents.
  2. Explain why proper technique and correct action are important to the outcome of the incident even if CPR is never initiated..
  3. Explain the steps of CPR and the use of the AED.
  4. Be an advocate for safe and appropriate care of the victim and their families.

Psychomotor Objectives

  1. Perform "Scene Size Up".
  2. Perform “Patient Assessment".
  3. Perform "CPR".
  4. Perform "AED Deployment".
  5. Perform "Airway Management"

Scope and Sequence of the Lesson

  1. Class will begin with an overview and discussion of when not to initiate CPR.
  1. The class will demonstrate the steps to initiate CPR and conduct it.
  1. Students will be shown different methods maintaining an open airway
  1. Students will be shown the proper way to ventilate a victim with a Bag-Valve-Mask using the "C-E" technique for one person and the more appropriate two person.
  1. Students will discuss the deployment of the Cardiac Science G3 Pro AED.
  1. Students will discuss the proper handling of bio waste item on the scene.
  1. Students will discuss what to do with the AED once its been deployed on a cardiac arrest victim and who to notify.

Closure

  1. Class will conclude once each member has participated as a team member in a cardiac arrest scenario.
  2. Equipment will be cleaned and inspected prior to placing back in service.
  3. All participants are reminded that the January 2014 EMS Con Ed will be AHA CPR renewal.

Materials

  1. Lap top computer or IPad
  2. EMS Bag from apparatus
  3. AED from apparatus
  4. Manikin with airway
  5. AED Simulator