Pulse
The pulse is a simple, important sign that helps us understand how our heart is working. Everyone has a pulse. It is a gentle beat you can feel on the skin when blood pushes through the arteries. The arteries are tubes that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Feeling a pulse helps first aiders check if someone’s heart is pumping blood properly.
In first aid, the pulse is used to see if the heart is beating and to check how fast or slow it is. It tells us if the person is alive, and it can give clues about their health. Knowing about the pulse can help in emergencies and guide what steps to take next.
What Is the Pulse?
The pulse is the feeling of blood moving through an artery each time the heart beats. When the heart squeezes, it pushes blood out, and that movement makes the artery bulge a little. This can be felt through the skin as a rhythmic beating.
The pulse usually matches the heart rate — that means if you count the pulse beats in one minute, you find out how many times the heart is beating per minute. For most adults, a normal pulse is 60 to 100 beats each minute when resting.
You can feel the pulse at several spots on the body. The most common place is the wrist, where the artery is close to the skin. Other places include the side of the neck, inside the elbow, on top of the foot, or behind the knee.
Why Is Checking the Pulse Important in First Aid?
Checking the pulse helps find out if the heart is working and pumping blood well. In an emergency, it tells us if the person’s heart beat is steady, fast, slow, or missing altogether.
If someone is unconscious or very sick, feeling their pulse can help decide what to do next. For example, if you cannot find a pulse, the heart might have stopped, and the person needs immediate help, like calling emergency services (000 in Australia) and starting CPR.
If the pulse is very fast or very slow, it might mean the person is in danger. These problems can be caused by things like too much bleeding, shock, heart trouble, or breathing problems.
How to Feel the Pulse Safely
Before checking the pulse, make sure the person is still and calm, if possible. Rushing or moving too much can make the pulse harder to find.
The easiest place to feel the pulse is on the wrist, on the thumb side. Use the tips of your first two or three fingers gently on the skin and press lightly until you feel the gentle beat.
Do not use your thumb because it has its own pulse, and it might confuse you.
Count the beats you feel for 15 seconds, then multiply by four to get the beats per minute. You can also count for a full 60 seconds for more accuracy.
If you cannot feel a pulse at the wrist, you can try the side of the neck, just under the jawbone. This is called the carotid pulse.
When Should You Call Emergency Services?
Call 000 if the person:
• Is unconscious or does not wake up when you speak or touch them.
• Has no pulse or you cannot find one.
• Has trouble breathing or is not breathing at all.
• Has chest pain or is showing signs of a heart attack (such as pain spreading to the arms or jaw, sweating, or nausea).
• Has a very fast or very slow pulse and feels very unwell.
• Shows signs of severe bleeding, shock, or serious injury.
Calling emergency services right away is the best way to get help if the situation is serious.
What Can the Pulse Tell Us About a Person’s Health?
The pulse gives clues about how well the heart and blood flow are working. Here are some things the pulse might show:
• Fast pulse: This can happen if someone is scared, hurt, has a fever, or has lost a lot of blood. It is the body’s way of trying to pump more oxygen around.
• Slow pulse: This might mean the heart is not working well. It can happen in some illnesses or injuries.
• Irregular pulse: Sometimes the heartbeat is uneven or skipped. This can be a warning sign of heart trouble.
• Weak or faint pulse: This is a sign the blood is not flowing well. It can happen in serious injury or shock.
Remember, feeling the pulse is just one part of checking a person’s condition. In first aid, you also look at how they are breathing, if they are awake, and if they have injuries.
Safety Tips When Checking the Pulse
Always be gentle and careful. Do not press too hard on the skin because this can stop the pulse or cause pain.
Make sure the person is comfortable. If possible, have them lie down safely.
Do not spend too long finding the pulse if the person needs urgent help. If you cannot feel the pulse quickly, call 000 and begin other first aid actions like CPR if needed.
If the person feels cold, dizzy, or faint, keep them warm and calm until help arrives.
Understanding the Pulse for Everyday Health
Being able to check your own pulse or someone else’s can be useful beyond emergencies. It can help you notice when something is wrong and act quickly.
For example, athletes check their pulse during exercise to see how hard their heart is working. People with certain health problems may check their pulse regularly.
Even simple things, like holding your finger to your wrist and feeling the pulse, can help you stay more aware of your health.
Summary
The pulse is the soft beat you feel when blood pushes through an artery as the heart pumps. It shows if the heart is beating normally and helps first aiders decide what to do.
Checking the pulse is easy and important in emergencies. It can tell if the person’s heart is working, if their pulse is fast, slow, or uneven, and if they need urgent help.
When someone is in trouble, knowing about pulse can help keep them safe and save lives. Always call 000 if the person is unconscious, has no pulse, or is very sick.
Remember to be gentle, calm, and quick when checking the pulse. This simple skill can be very useful in a first aid situation.
If you are unsure about what to do, it is always best to call emergency services and ask for help. The pulse is one way to understand the body’s signals and give someone the best care until help arrives.