| Websites created by Susan Lazenby (c) 2007, Captain Steve Lazenby's wife. Thank you CERT teams everywhere for all the help. To add information or redo the web page my email address is: slazenby@roadrunner.com |
| CERT LESSON MODULES |
| COUNTING YOUR PULSE |
Your pulse is the beat
of your heart. You can
feel it in several parts
of your body, including
the inside of your wrist
or the carotid artery,
which in high in your
neck.
of your heart. You can
feel it in several parts
of your body, including
the inside of your wrist
or the carotid artery,
which in high in your
neck.
Counting your pulse is the best way you can monitor your own
heart rate. By counting your pulse, you should know how
many heart beats in 1 minute and how regular the beats are.
You may need to count your pulse for several reasons:
HOW TO TAKE YOUR PULSE:
To count accurately, you need a clock, or a watch with
a second hand. You can take your pulse
on your wrist or neck. To find your
pulse on your wrist, press the
fingertips of your index and middle fingers on the
inside of your wrist (thumb side).
DO NOT USE YOUR THUMB. If you
have trouble finding this pulse, move
your fingertips around until you locate
it.
To find the pulse in the neck, press your fingertip or
two fingertips in the area just under the jawbone, alongside
your Adam's apple. If you have
trouble finding either pulse, try
varying the amount of pressure.
You can miss the pulse by
pressing too lightly, but press
to hard can obscure the pulse.
Once you've found your pulse, it will be easy the next time.
Your resting pulse can be taken almost any time, except
after exercising, eating a large meal, or taking prescribed
drugs that control the heart rate.
Sit quietly for 2 minutes and relax. Find your pulse, look at
the second hand on your watch or clock, and begin counting.
If you have an irregular heartbeat, you must count for
exactly 60 seconds. For example, if you counted 77 pulse
beats in 1 minute, this is your heart rate. Otherwise, you can
count for 30 seconds and multiply by 2. For example:
41 pulses x 2 = 82
CERT MEMBERS in a Disaster Event:
**instructions on the
capillary (CAP) refill.
Is it 3 seconds or
longer? Apply pressure
to whiten the nail of the
thumb or the big toe for
3 seconds. Determine
the capillary refill time
from the moment of release until total recovery of the pink
color.
If capillary refill is longer than 3 seconds, then check the
pulse. Is the pulse weak and fast? If the radial pulse is
strong and not obviously fast, the victims may not be in
shock. If you cannot feel a wrist pulse, use the neck pulse or
carotid.
heart rate. By counting your pulse, you should know how
many heart beats in 1 minute and how regular the beats are.
You may need to count your pulse for several reasons:
- You may have an irregular heartbeat;
- You may be taking a special drug to control irregular
heartbeat. - You may have a pacemaker
- You may need to check your heart rate as part of an
exercise program. - CERT members need to have the knowledge ahead of
time before they start taking the pulse of those they
are trying to help.
HOW TO TAKE YOUR PULSE:
To count accurately, you need a clock, or a watch with
a second hand. You can take your pulse
on your wrist or neck. To find your
pulse on your wrist, press the
fingertips of your index and middle fingers on the
inside of your wrist (thumb side).
DO NOT USE YOUR THUMB. If you
have trouble finding this pulse, move
your fingertips around until you locate
it.
To find the pulse in the neck, press your fingertip or
two fingertips in the area just under the jawbone, alongside
your Adam's apple. If you have
trouble finding either pulse, try
varying the amount of pressure.
You can miss the pulse by
pressing too lightly, but press
to hard can obscure the pulse.
Once you've found your pulse, it will be easy the next time.
Your resting pulse can be taken almost any time, except
after exercising, eating a large meal, or taking prescribed
drugs that control the heart rate.
Sit quietly for 2 minutes and relax. Find your pulse, look at
the second hand on your watch or clock, and begin counting.
If you have an irregular heartbeat, you must count for
exactly 60 seconds. For example, if you counted 77 pulse
beats in 1 minute, this is your heart rate. Otherwise, you can
count for 30 seconds and multiply by 2. For example:
41 pulses x 2 = 82
CERT MEMBERS in a Disaster Event:
- Remember to have a watch with a second hand.
- Look for emergency bracelets or tags.
- Do a capillary (cap) refill test.** See below for
reminder info. - Use a small piece of tape to document date, time and
pulse. This will help the emergency responders with
recent history. - For victims with severe injuries monitor closely and
every 15 minutes if possible. - Keep them warm.
**instructions on the
capillary (CAP) refill.
Is it 3 seconds or
longer? Apply pressure
to whiten the nail of the
thumb or the big toe for
3 seconds. Determine
the capillary refill time
from the moment of release until total recovery of the pink
color.
If capillary refill is longer than 3 seconds, then check the
pulse. Is the pulse weak and fast? If the radial pulse is
strong and not obviously fast, the victims may not be in
shock. If you cannot feel a wrist pulse, use the neck pulse or
carotid.
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