Initial Assessment
Initial Assessment:
- DRS ABCD approach
- Assess danger
- Check response: shake, trapezius squeeze, chest pressure
- Call for help if unresponsive
- Airway assessment: head tilt, check obstruction
- Breathing assessment (10 secs): listen, feel, observe chest wall movement
Management:
- If airway patent + breathing present but unconscious: recovery position If cardiac arrest: immediate CPR 30:2
- Apply defibrillator pads:
Mid-clavicular line, right upper chest The mid-axillary line left side. Defibrillation Protocol:
- Continuous effective CPR
- Rhythm assessment: pause CPR briefly
- Shockable rhythms: VF, VT
- Non-shockable: asystole, PEA
- Post 3rd shock: adrenaline 1mg, amiodarone 300mg
- Adrenaline: alternate after every CPR cycle (2 mins).
Reversible Causes Assessment (4 H’s and 4 T’s):
- Hypoxia
- Hypovolemia/hypertension
- Hyper/hypokalaemia
- Hypothermia
- Toxins
- Tamponade
- Tension pneumothorax
- Thrombosis
The most common cause: ischaemic heart disease.