Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation or CPR is a skill everyone should know. In fact, it should be taught in school and not just when you are a member of the Red Cross. You never know when a life-threatening emergency would happen to someone you know – say near-drowning or heart attack – anything that stops a person from breathing or the heart from beating. That three-letter abbreviation can literally mean life and death. Make one mistake and you can end up sending the person you are trying to revive closer to Death’s gates. But if resuscitation is successful, he/she will be indebted to your talent.
You don’t need to spend a lot of time and resources just to know how to do CPR. It only takes a couple of lessons before an attendee applies the basics, how to conduct CPR, and the guidelines to an effective revival attempt.
The proper technique when it comes to performing CPR shall be tackled by highly skilled instructors with backgrounds in paramedics and search and rescue. They are trained individuals willing to lend a helping hand to those who wish to know how to conduct CPR effectively.
It increases the survival rate of the fallen to almost triple the chance of not reaching the morgue. It starts by assessing the situation. If you think you can handle the situation and not need the assistance of 911, push down two inches from the center of the chest 30 times. The technique to doing so is doing it as hard and rapid as possible.
After pushing down, lean the victims head upward and raise the chin. Lightly squeeze the nose and blow air into the person’s mouth until the chest rises like bread. Each blow should last a second. Give two after.
In certain situations wherein you have another person who knows how to conduct CPR, the two tasks can be split; one does the pumping while the other one does the blowing.
If things go south, call 911. They will be more than equipped to handle any situation and have the logistics to do so. But in most cases wherein CPR is needed, the victim usually comes out safe. Sometimes it is just a weak heart or a complication of some sort.
Although the skill is centuries-old, it is a skill not all people know. It is disheartening to know that such valuable skill could not be performed by many, especially with the current lifestyle of this generation – the everything-instant generation.
If you know how to conduct CPR and want others to follow suit, teach them your methods. Not only will they know how to perform an invaluable skill, they will also learn the importance of time and fluidity.
30 pumps and two breaths can seem almost a lifetime when resuscitating someone.
When all else fails, just continue doing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If you think one set is not enough, do another. And another.
So be ready for what comes your way. Nevertheless it will be a life-changing decision.
