If you completed your CPR training a very long time, you might wonder what does CAB stand for in CPR and why did it change from ABC to CAB sequence.
The American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines for CPR rearranged the order of providing CPR in 2010. Instead of the previous ABC (airway, breathing, circulation), new steps follow the CAB sequence: chest compressions first, followed by airway and breathing.
Read on to know more about this change.
Why CPR Changed From ABC To CAB?
The performance of ABC steps was changed for a much simpler procedure in 2010.
AHA released a guideline to improve the ABC procedure that many have come to know. The national organisation that deals with emergency procedures such as CPR switched the letters to CAB, mainly to make the steps simpler and easier to perform.
The CAB guideline encourages medical personnel and bystanders to start with hard and fast compressions before doing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
The performance of chest compressions before rescue breaths allows the person to gain 30 seconds of valuable time for blood to flow again. This is a win-win situation for both the bystander and the victim. Maintaining blood flow and keeping the vital organs oxygenated are the most important functions of CPR.
In a nutshell, the reason why CPR changed from ABC to CAB is to put a chest compressions step at the front, followed by rescue breathing techniques, to achieve optimal results.
What Does CAB Mean In CPR?
CAB is an important acronym to discuss in first aid and CPR training.
Here is a closer look at the three most important steps in performing CPR.
C For Compressions
Doing chest compressions will help promote circulation and restore blood flow when the heart stops beating. Many experts suggest that the performance of chest compressions is the most vital step when providing CPR.
Start by placing the victim flat on their back and place the heel of your hand in the middle of their breastbone. Place one hand on top, interlace your fingers, and start pushing about 2 inches down into the person’s chest.
Provide chest compression at a rate of about 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
A For Airway
After giving a series of chest compressions, the next step is to the victim’s airway.
Gently use the person’s head using the head-tilt and chin-lift maneuvers. Place the palm of your one hand into their forehand, and using the other hand, tilt the head back and lift the chin slightly forward.
This will help open the person’s airway to be able to receive rescue breaths. Once the airway is open, use it as an opportunity to look for any foreign objects that could cause airway blockage.
B For Breathing
The final step in the CAB sequence is to deliver rescue breaths. Providing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation help quickly deliver oxygen to the person’s lungs.
After successfully opening the airway, pinch the victim’s nose shut and place your mouth over theirs, creating a tight seal. Perform a series of two rescue breaths in between 30 chest compressions. Watch the person’s chest carefully after each breath to see if the chest rises.
If the chest rises, proceed with delivering the second rescue breath. However, if the chest did not rise, it could be for two different reasons. Either the airway is still not fully open, or there is an obstruction blocking the rescue breath from entering the person’s lungs.
Once the rescue breath is successfully delivered, return to performing chest compressions and repeat this cycle as needed or until medical personnel can take over.
If there are other bystanders in the area that is also trained in providing CPR, it is best to take turns so that one person does not become too exhausted.
Why Learn CPR?
To helps students remember the essential steps of the CPR process, we have CAB. This first aid acronym outlines the important actions of CPR so anyone can be confident to provide initial care when faced with medical emergencies.
With hundreds of thousands of lives lost every year due to cardiac arrest and other heart-related conditions, it is crucial that more and more individuals are trained and certified in performing CPR as if lives depend on it.
It is a skill everyone should know, as we never know when an emergency might occur and how long it may take for first responders to arrive on the scene. In most cases, the victim’s chances of survival will depend on bystanders’ knowledge of when and how to take action.
Anyone can experience a sudden cardiac arrest at any time, which makes CPR important. Here are some facts and numbers to prove this statement:
- Sudden cardiac arrest is one of Australia’s main causes of death and disability, claiming the lives of about 22,000 to 33,000 people every year.
- Eighty per cent of SCA cases are out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA), or most of them happen at home. Only 10% of these cases will survive.
- If performed immediately (and effectively), bystander CPR can double or triple the chance of survival from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Knowing CPR is essential. With thousands of cardiac, knowing this first aid technique has the potential to save lives.
The issue starts when some people have difficulty remembering how to perform CPR. Some may need a refresher to recall the order, which makes CPR refresher and CPR recertification courses important.
Get CPR Training
CPR is a common first aid procedure that anyone can learn. It is an effective way for bystanders to assist people suspected of cardiac arrest or other medical emergencies when the heart stops beating.
CPR dramatically increases the rate of survival and helps save lives.
First Aid Courses Tasmania is dedicated to providing comprehensive and accessible First aid and CPR training and certification. With the option to complete the training online, blended, or traditional in-person learning, you will learn this lifesaving skill and receive your CPR certificate on the same day of completion.
We strongly believe everyone should be trained in performing CPR. Completing CPR training and getting certified will give you the skills, knowledge, and confidence to save lives.
For more information on our full range of First aid and CPR classes, contact us today or browse our calendar for our upcoming courses.
We look forward to seeing you in our class.
