Q Who is this project supported by?

  • Dr David Mc Cluskey (Head of dept of Medicine RVH)
  • Professor R Hay (Dean of Faculty of Medicine, Queens University Belfast )
  • Vice Chancellor of Queens University Belfast
  • Minister for Education
  • Dr Henrietta Campbell, Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland
  • Andrew P Dougal OBE, Chief Executive Chest Heart & Stroke
  • Professor Frank Kee, Dept of Public Health, Queens University Belfast
  • British Red Cross
  • Belfast Telegraph
  • Medsin QUB and Medsin UK

Q Are medical students insured to conduct this course in the local community?

Queens Medical Students are insured to enter the community and teach this project under the University insurance policy. This has been cleared by the University Vice Chancellor 2004/2005.

Q Can I become infected if I give mouth to mouth?

There is a very low risk of infection, either bacterial or viral. However, the risk, although slight, is still present. Therefore, it is the responders own decision. If you do not want to do mouth to mouth, at least do chest compressions until help arrives.

Q Why has the rate of chest compressions to ventilation changed from 1:5 to 2:15 ?

The most important reason is that more compressions can be given each minute with a ratio of 15:2 than with 5:1. Circulating blood volume in this situation is likely to be directly proportional to the number of compressions, assuming compression rate and quality stay the same.

Q Why has carotid pulse been removed for lay people?

Looking for a carotid pulse has been “de-emphasised” and the expression “look for signs of a circulation” should be used as pulse check in lay people has found to be very inaccurate. This is a more reliable indicator of an absent pulse.

Q How much should I blow in mouth to mouth?

Blow to make the chest rise and fall as in normal breathing. This should be achieved by taking a deep breath and blowing steadily for 2 seconds.

Q What about the 2- person technique of CPR?

This is not routinely taught as part of this course (for P7’s), but can be explained in other courses you may attend.

Q How do I do CPR on a child?

This is very rare, and is usually due to an airway and breathing problem. Once again, it is out of the scope of this course and you are more likely to be a first responder in a heart attack.

Q Can I harm someone by doing chest compressions?

You can’t do more harm than good in this situation. Although broken ribs etc have been reported, deciding not to do chest compressions on a person in cardiac arrest is far more harmful than deciding to do chest compressions on a person with a pulse. With good technique, any harm is unlikely. If in doubt, start chest compressions. If they are not in cardiac arrest and are responsive to compressions, they will let you know!

Q What if they are in a chair etc?

Treat where you find the casualty. Move them if you have help. If they are on lying awkwardly, roll them onto their back.