Giving cpr effectively with asthma?

[chopsterz]

CPR with asthma. I’ve searched and found lots of advice for cpr to a patient with asthma. I’m a sports coach with recently diagnosed asthma and first aid trained but not yet fully managed and my concern is that I might not be able to effectively give cpr. Is it possible to administer cpr with reduced lung function?

[Bsr92]

I think only you will know your limitations at the time with this, if your asthma is controlled and you feel okay there’s no reason why you can’t give effective CPR. That being said if you feel your struggling or think you make tire, it’s probably best for someone else to take over if you can. Giving cpr is very tiring and It is important to look after yourself in that situation or you will be no use to anyone!

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi

I think it all depends on the situation, your triggers and where you’re lungs are at before being called into action. I’m a severe unstable asthmatic, but on first aid courses have coped with the CPR fine. There have been times when I’ve known I wouldn’t be good enough to do it (usually when borderline admission myself), so I made sure I wasn’t the named first aider on those days (tho tbh if I had needed to I would have done my best til others arrived even if it did then trigger me off... I’m very good at knowing how far I can push my lungs until it’s too dangerous). I’d probably avoid rescue breaths if my lungs were dodgy cause I’m guessing it wouldn’t be too much help with the extended expiration 😅

I’m guessing that if you ever need to use it the adrenaline rush should help (until it’s all over) - like super-strong mums lifting cars off of kids etc. I’d suggest keeping your blue on you/nearby so you can take it if you need it (like you should anyway 😉). I coach children and they all know where I keep my pump so they can fetch it if there was a situation where I was needed for CPR but also needed my pump (or any other time when I can’t get to it 😅). Also I’m assuming that you’re not the only first aid trained at your club so as callous as it sounds you only need to go until more help arrives and you can swap out.

Luckily, other than on courses, I’ve never had to administer CPR, and I really hope I never will have to! I hope that explains what I’m trying to and helps answer your question a little.

[chopsterz]

Thank you for the replies. Definitely something for me to think about. I’m often in a situation where I’m working alone and so could be the only first aider immediately available. I will have to ensure when I’m not feeling great that I’m not in that situation! Unfortunately some of the people I train aren’t on a course through choice and have high medical needs and low fitness levels so the chances of a heart attack is a bit higher amongst these groups!

[hoping2improve]

In a similar position. As others have said. Depends on how fit you feel, also whether you feel you are putting yourself at risk . Hopefully you never have to find out

[JulianM]

I'm an RLSS trainer/assessor, regularly teach and train pool lifeguards on CPR, and also work as a lifeguard. The key to delivering effective chest compressions is to use your body weight with locked elbows to reduce the effort involved. We train 16-year olds to do it, some of whom are not that heavy ... The most vital thing is that someone is on the phone to the ambulance service ASAP; a non-breathing casualty is top of their priority list; where I work (in central London) they get a paramedic to us before the ambulance arrives; there's also a volunteer scheme that is working with some ambulance services to get trained CPR volunteers onto the scene to provide assistance when needed. Yes, it's tiring; in real emergency, you can use anyone available who can copy your actions to share the work with you. Do a formal risk assessment, make sure there is always someone who can call the ambulance and give relevant details to the service, check how things actually work in your area. Hope this helps.

[JulianM]

And to add two other things: early access to an AED makes a big difference; we have one where I work and have used it this year; I also know several shops and public transport locations nearby which have them; know what's around where you work. Include that in your risk assessment. The other thing I wanted to say is that I have worked and trained with lifeguards who have asthma, and it's one of the conditions we cover on our courses. If you want help working through the issues, there are a lot of people in the leisure industry with relevant experience.

[chopsterz in reply to JulianM]

That’s a great tip. I often work in central London and I’m sure there would be AEDs around.

[chopsterz]

I’m not so worried about the chest compressions - more about being able to effectively give rest breaths. Before I started steroids, I wouldn’t have been able to blow out without it turning into a cough. It’s still up and down now while I’m learning how to keep on top of it.

Had a rough couple of days and thought I was overdoing it. Didn’t realise that an almost empty subultramol canister wasn’t giving me any medication! Ran out completely today and the difference with the new one is such a relief!!

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to chopsterz]

If it comes to it, compressions are more important than rescue breathes so as callous as it sounds don’t give them if you’re struggling... you need to be safe too!

Yes actually getting your salbutamol out of your inhaler will help you feel better 😉😝. Easy test for it if you’re not sure if it’s working is to puff it into the air... if it looks like a steam train it’s good to go, if it’s just a pathetic spit take that throw it for a new one 😁. Glad you’re feeling a little better now however word to the wise, if you’re needing your blue more than 3 times a week then technically your not controlled and should see your GP or asthma nurse for a review 😕

[chopsterz in reply to EmmaF91]

Thanks Emma. Feeling much better but still using it daily - review is already booked for tomorrow. Still can’t exercise without needing it or go outside in the cold/damp.

[chopsterz]

*rescue

[Cshuttle]

Im a nurse and a comunity first responder, and mange to do cpr effectively. On bad days i just make sure my manager an collugues are aware so that they can take over cpr sooner and do sonething else like airway, but i guess working in the health setting they understand the restrictions on times. Maybe you could arrange something simular in your workplace to ensure that on your bad days theres always someone near by so you dont have to do cpr for to long. Good luck