Switching CPR Chest Compression Thumper

Video Transcript

"Hi, my name is Alv Rios and I'm a paramedic with Lansing Mercy Ambulance on behalf of Expert Village. In this clip we're going to talk about switching the people that are actually giving the chest compressions. The reason for switching the chest compressions is that the person doesn't get fatigued and get tired and their technique doesn't start to get sloppy. When you are giving the adequate chest compressions be prepared to feel sweaty, to feel that your hands are hurting, your wrists because when you're giving the adequate chest compressions, you're putting a lot of force on this person and your hands are kind of in an awkward position. Again you know you want to just use the heel of your hand. If you have your hand flat you're now dispersing that pressure across your whole hand and a cross their whole chest. Whereas by keeping a sharp angle only the heel is putting the pressure in a small area which is where you want that. So giving your chest compression again your elbows are locked and you're pushing down. After two minutes of this you are going to feel pretty tired. It's important then if you have another person with you giving the ventilations to say let's switch. You want to do that at the end of your two minutes, right after you re-assess your abc's of the airway breathing and circulation. It's important to get that new rescuer in giving the chest compressions. Like I said to maintain the proper technique and positioning while giving your compressions. "