I dont have any pictures or videos, but here are some pointers:
Make sure to straighten the arm, I like to have it palm up as well. The arm should be level with the heart.
Put the cuff about 1 inch above the elbow. Make sure the cuff is tight around the arm and properly sized, otherwise the reading may be off.
When you put the earpieces in your ears, make sure they point forward towards your nose, not back.
Use your pointer and middle finger to feel for a pulse in the bend of the elbow. You should be able to find the brachial artery and feel the pulse. This is where you want to put your stethoscope. Listen to the beat with your steth - you are now in the right place.
As you inflate, keep listening to the heartbeat on the brachial artery. When you don't hear it anymore, give another good pump or two, then slowly loosen the screw to let air escape from the cuff.
The number of the first sound is the systolic (top number) pressure.
The second number is the diastolic (bottom number) pressure.
If you can't get a pressure, try again, but not more than 2x per arm because you will actually cause their pressure to spike a little in the arm that you keep pumping up. If you can't after two tries, let the patient relax for 5 minutes and try again.
If there is an IV in, never take the pressure in that arm. Also, if the patient has pain, or has had a mastectomy, don't take a pressure in that arm.
The best way to learn? PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!! Find a buddy from class or your family members and check them.
Good luck!
