Pediatric AED/defibrillation pads

Pediatric AED (automated external defibrillator) and manual monitor/ defibrillator pads are designed to be used on infants and children up to about 8 years old.  Older children and adults should use adult pads only.  Pediatric pads are about half the size of adult pads and often have... read more here: http://www.carpentercprsolutions.com/-blog/pediatric-aeddefibrillation-pads

Agonal gasps..

Agonal gasping (in the context of Basic Life Support) is a condition in which the victim of cardiac arrest has occasional (perhaps once every 10 seconds) 'gasping' breaths.  This breathing pattern is usually accompanied by a snoring type sound, and perhaps a slight shrugging of the shoulders. 

To oversimplify-

When a healthcare provider shakes a victim ("hey, hey, are you ok?"), they should also... (read more here..http://www.carpentercprsolutions.com/-blog/agonal-gasps)

AED explained

CPR course differences explained

There are actually several different types of CPR courses, from those designed for the lay public, to healthcare provider courses. Some differences are explored.

 

Read about it here: 

CPR course differences explained

Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia

Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia (MAT) is an abbherrent heart rhythm occasionally seen in the elderly, those with COPD exacerbation, and hypokalemia.  As with most (if not ALL!) arrhythmias, it can also be seen in patients experiencing acute myocardial infarct.

Normally the sino-atrial (SA) node is the primary.... (read more and see the rhythm here: http://www.carpentercprsolutions.com/-blog/multifocal-atrial-tachycardia)

First Aid for nose bleeds....

Epistaxis- nose bleed- is a very common occurrence, and can happen due to injury, or it can just start suddenly for no apparent reason.  Common causes could include prolonged dry air, fragile surface blood vessels in the nose, or high blood pressure. 

Initial treatment for nose bleed is to keep the individual in an upright position, which leads to relatively decreased blood pressure in the nasal vessels (compared to lying down.) Leaning forward is very important, as this helps to prevent swallowing...  Read more here: http://www.carpentercprsolutions.com/-blog/first-aid-for-nose-bleeds 

Key Components of high quality CPR continued... (Part 2!)

Part one of this post is here: http://www.carpentercprsolutions.com/-blog/key-components-of-high-quality-cpr-revisited-part-1

On to part two!:

4)     INTERRUPTIONS IN CPR SHOULD BE MINIMAL, AND SWITCH PROVIDERS EVERY 2 MINUTES!

When a patient has no pulse, and no one is pushing on the chest, brain cells are dying.  It is as simple as that.  ALL interruptions (read more here:......  http://www.carpentercprsolutions.com/-blog/key-components-of-high-quality-cpr-continued-part-2)