Recent statistics say that more or less half a million of the deaths in the US involve heart attacks, both new and recurring cases. Out of this number, 80 percent takes place outside a medical center and without the presence of any medical practitioner. That’s why the AHA (American Heart Association) and other medical organizations strongly recommend everyone, including untrained and lay responders, to do their best to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR when someone is in need of this emergency medical service. This is not only for sufferers of heart attack or any life-threatening cardiovascular diseases, but also for victims of near-drowning, suffocation, severe electric shock, drug overdose, and other cases where the heart ceased from beating.
If you don’t have any idea about CPR and you think there is a chance that one of the people you usually go or stay with would eventually need it, here are some important things to take note of:
- CPR could be applied when the patient is unconscious, not breathing, or has no pulse. If the patient is suffering from a combination of these symptoms, CPR should be immediately applied because each second literally counts.
- Basic CPR mainly consists 2-inch deep chest compressions (1.5-inch for infants) using the palm of your hands. For adults, it is advisable to make the compressions as forceful as possible.
- Typical rate of chest compressions is 100 per minute. The Bee Gees song “Staying Alive” could be used as a timing pattern because it has this kind of beat.
- It is strongly recommended to continue applying chest compressions until the patient has recovered normal breathing or unfortunately, has been determined dead.
- For a more effective CPR, remember the acronym CAB. C is for chest compression; A is for Airway, which is necessary for providing enough air for the patient; and B for breathing – providing artificial breath to the patient through mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
- Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is a helpful part of CPR but untrained and lay respondents may settle for chest compressions only if they are not comfortable doing it.
- When somebody else is around, ask him or her to seek help from a professional CPR practitioner or from anyone who knows enough about this first aid practice.
- If there is a public-access AED (automated external defibrillator) nearby, find time to make use of it. This electronic medical device could be used to revive the patient’s heartbeat by pressing electrically energized pads to his chest.
For people with a loved one who suffers from any serious heart disease, it is strongly suggested to undergo CPR training in order to be prepared and responsible enough in case of emergency. There are several notable emergency medical services training centers that offer CPR courses and one of them is Citywide CPR. You can visit their website at citywidecpr.com to find out how you can avail of their extensive CPR training programs. Get educated with CPR matters now because anytime and anywhere, your loved one’s heart could stop beating and CPR would be your immediate means of saving his or her life.
