Soccer Coaching - Resuscitation Procedure

One of the fundamental processes a living organism must carry out is breathing. This is the process that gets oxygen from the atmosphere to the body’s cells, and in particular the brain, through the lungs and red blood cells. The brain will fail if it does not receive oxygen for a period of 3 to 4 minutes. If an individual does not have a constant supply of oxygen they will lose consciousness, the heart will stop beating and the final result will be death.

There are three stages involved in the process of getting oxygen to the brain and they can be broken down into the ABC of life.

A – Airway. This must be clear for the oxygen to enter the body. The airway can become clear by tilting the individuals head back, as this removes their tongue from blocking their air passage.

B – Breathing. This is the process that gets the oxygen through the lungs and into the blood. If an individual is not breathing it may be essential for the person administering first aid to breathe for them. As exhaled air contains oxygen (about 16% of air breathed out is oxygen) it is possible to breathe your exhaled air into the mouth of another human to provide them with oxygen.

C – Circulation. This is the process by which the blood transports the oxygen around the body to the cells, tissues, organs and brain. If the heart stops beating there is no way for the blood, and therefore oxygen, to be pumped around the body. Therefore it is necessary to compress the chest so that the blood is forced around the body.

The process of sustaining life in the absence of breathing or a heartbeat is known as CPR or Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation.The resuscitation sequence:

D – Ensure neither casualty or yourself is in any Danger.

R – Check for any Response.

A – Open Airway

B – Check for Breathing. (If absent, breathe for the individual.)

C – Check for Circulation. (If no pulse, perform CPR.)

Or easily written as DR. ABC

D Clear anything that could cause further damage or danger to all parties involved, including the assistor and casualty. Move crowds back as far as possible so there is space around the casualty to work.

R Speak clearly and loudly to establish whether the casualty is conscious or unconscious. A gentle shake of the shoulders can also occur. An individual who is fully unconscious will have no response; however a partially conscious individual may have some response. To establish their level of response follow the AVPU guide:

A – Alert, V – responds to Voice, P – responds to Pain, U – Unresponsive.

A response can occur in their eyes (flicker, open, move), speech (mumble, speak) or movement (major limb or minor extremities) ensure you can observe all potential points of response.

A To open the airway place two fingers under their chin and place your other hand on their forehead. Now gently tilt the head backwards. If a head or neck injury take extra care when performing this.

B To check the breathing of an individual, kneel next to them and listen and feel for any air coming out of their mouth. While doing that use your eyes to observe whether or not their chest is rising (an indication of breathing).If there is no sign of breathing then you will be required to breathe for them.

1. Place two fingers under the chin again and with the other hand pinch their nose closed with your index finger and thumb.
2. Take a deep breath and place your lips around theirs, ensuring there is a tight seal.
3. Blow into their mouth, observing their chest rise. It will take about 2 seconds of breathing out to reach full inflation.
4. Remove lips and allow chest to fall. This will take approximately 4 seconds. Then repeat steps 2 and 3.
5. Check for circulation. If present continue breathing for the individual, until they can breathe alone. If absent then move onto C. Once breathing returns place the individual in the recovery position.

There are reasons why the chest may not rise when breathing into the casualty’s mouth. They include head not tilted back enough, nostrils not entirely closed, not a complete seal between mouths (allowing air to escape) or there is an obstruction in the airway. If there is a visible obstruction remove it, if not then treat as an unconscious choking adult .

C Check for a pulse or heartbeat. A pulse reading can be taken at the side of the neck or in the wrist. Use two fingers and not a thumb, as your own pulse can be felt in your thumb and you may mix up the two pulses. If there is not a pulse present then you should begin to administer CPR. If alone call ambulance before commencing CPR. The procedure to follow when giving chest compressions includes:

1. Kneel beside the casualty. Locate the point where the lowest rib bones meet the breastbone.
2. Place the heel of one hand on this newly located spot. This is where the pressure should be applied.
3. Place your second hand on top of the one already in place and interlock the fingers. If a child (under the age of 7) only use one hand to compress the chest.
4. Lean over the casualty and press down. Pushing the chest in about 2 inches or 5 cm. Reduce the pressure being applied to the chest but do not remove your hands from their chest.
5. Compress the chest 15 times. Then give two more breaths to the individual. Continue this cycle of 15 and 2 until medical assistance arrives.

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