Final answer:
The first step in starting CPR on a victim on land is to check for responsiveness and call for emergency help. Begin chest compressions to the beat of 'Staying Alive' after ensuring correct hand placement. Proper training in CPR is crucial to avoid causing injury, and CPR should be continued until help arrives or the victim recovers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Starting CPR on Land
When a victim is found unresponsive on land, the first step is to ensure safety and check for responsiveness. If the victim is not responsive and not breathing or only gasping, call for emergency help immediately. If trained, begin CPR by placing the heel of one hand on the center of the victim's chest and the other hand on top, keeping your elbows straight and shoulders directly above your hands. Perform chest compressions by pressing down at least 5 cm deep at a rate of 100 compressions per minute, which correlates with the beat of 'Staying Alive' by the Bee Gees.
It is essential to receive proper training to ensure that CPR is given correctly, as improper technique can cause injury such as broken ribs or damage to internal organs. It's also vital to follow current guidelines, emphasizing high-quality chest compressions over artificial respiration, unless you are specifically trained to do both. CPR should be continued until medical help arrives or the patient shows signs of recovery.
It is a common myth that CPR should be started even before a drowning person is removed from the water. In reality, you must first bring the person to stable ground to perform effective CPR. Moreover, it is not always too late to save a person who is unconscious in water, especially if they are rescued quickly and CPR is initiated promptly.