Are you bothered by the heart disease that your loved one is suffering from? Then it’s now time for you to start doing the right action – to get prepared for the necessary solution whenever and if ever a cardiac emergency condition takes place. Thus, one of the simplest, yet effective when done immediately and properly, remedies is the cardiopulmonary resuscitation, more popularly known as CPR. Here is the ABC of this common first aid for cardiac seizure:
• A for Airway – you need to find out first whether the collapsed person is unconscious or not by asking him “Are you okay?”. If he does not respond, immediately call 911, seek help from a medical expert or shout for help so others who know CPR better could do the necessary action right away. The patient should be lying flat on his back so you can open his airway by lifting his chin gently by a hand while your other hand pushes down his forhead to tilt his head back. Check if he is breathing and take 5 to 10 seconds to verify it.
• B for Breathing – using your forefinger and thumb, pinch the patient’s nose while keeping your hand’s heel on his forehead so his head remains tilt. Your other hand is still under his chin to lift it up. If needed and if you are comfortable to do it, perform mouth to mouth resuscitation. This is done by giving two full breaths as an air-tight seal between your and his mouth is maintained. The duration for each breath is one second and it should enable the patient’s chest to rise.
• C for Circulation – once you have given two full breaths to the patient, you can then start giving him external chest compressions with your hands. Locate the patient’s notch at the middle of the chest or the interception of the bottom rims of the ribcage. The heel of your hand should be on the sternum (Breastbone), which is next to the notch and between the nipples. Your shoulders should be over his sternum and should be pressed downward to keep your arms straight. Each chest compression is 5cm deep and should be done at a rate of 100 times per minute. It is suggested to switch back to mouth to mouth resuscitation after 30 chest compressions and repeat this cycle until the patient has regained his consciousness or unfortunately, until he finally loses his life.
The American Heart Association or AHA is now encouraging everyone to undergo CPR training or at least learn the basics of CPR. In this way, anyone could be a prepared immediate responder when such emergency case occurs. How much more if you are loved one at home with you that is at risk of being into a between-life-and-death situation because of his heart condition? Visit citywidecpr.com for details on how to get an extensive and convenient CPR training. Citywide is a reputable and an AHA-accredited training center for an array of emergency medical services, including CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators or AEDs.
