In order to help them, all you need to do is equip yourself
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving method that is beneficial in several emergencies, such as a heart attack, in which somebody's breathing or heartbeat has stopped.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving method that is beneficial in several emergencies, such as a heart attack, in which somebody's breathing or heartbeat has stopped.
CPR can be performed by any untrained person or by a trained professional.
If you are untrained and fear doing CPR or aren't sure how to do it correctly, it is always better to try than not try at all, as it might save someone’s life.
Cardiac arrest is the most common condition in which CPR is used. It is an emergency condition in which a person’s heart stops beating. During a cardiac arrest, the heart is unable to pump blood to the other parts of the body, including the brain and lungs. It can cause death of that person in minutes without treatment.
This situation mostly happens outside of hospitals (maybe at home or in public places) each year. Unfortunately, they don’t get the help they need from bystanders before an ambulance arrives.
So, CPR uses chest compressions to mimic how the heart pumps and provide blood circulation to vital organs of the body till the healthcare professionals arrive.
Other conditions in which CPR is needed are:
CPR can be performed to save the life of an adult, child, or infant. If cardiac arrest happens to anyone around you, don’t get afraid—just be ready!
First, you need to take care of certain things before performing CPR.
1 Look at the scene of the
emergency:
After you call 108, you need to assess the scene. Look at the
surrounding environment for the factors that could put you in danger, such as traffic, fire,
falling building, etc.
2 Check person is conscious or not:
Now, check the person’s response while they are lying on
their back. Tap the person’s shoulder and ask louder, “Are you OK?”
If the person is unresponsive or is unable to regularly breathe, you can slightly tilt the head back by lifting their chin. This will help to clear and open their mouth and check for any obstruction, such as food or vomit.
After that check breathing for 10 seconds. If the person is still not breathing, start CPR immediately. If possible, ask for help from other people to go and search for an AED machine. These machines may be available in offices and many other public buildings.
If AED is available to you - deliver one shock as per instruction on the device and then begin CPR.
Note: If someone is breathing but unconscious, do not perform CPR.
According to the American heart association, one must remember the CAB step to perform CPR.
Before performing CPR, make sure that the person is lying flat on their back on a firm surface. Place one of your palms over the other and clasp them together.
Keep your elbow at a 90-degree to the floor, so that the weight of the entire body should be doing chest compression (not only the arms). Start pushing the heel of the palm at the centre of the chest, slightly below the nipples.
The depth of compression must be 2 inches (5 cm) deep. The compression must be performed at a rate of 100 times per minute. Always allow the chest to rise fully between each compression.
If you are trained personnel then continue the chest compression and can perform rescue breathing as well until the emergency services arrive.
You need to give 2 rescue breathing after 30 compressions. So, you must first clear the airway by the head tilt chin lift method.
Rescue breathing can be given through the mouth-to-mouth breathing method. In case the mouth is seriously injured or not opening, mouth-to-nose breathing can be given.
After clearing the airway (by head-tilt, chin-lift method), close/block the nostrils with one of your hands for mouth-to-mouth breathing and cover the person's mouth with yours, making a seal.
Give the 1st rescue breath that lasts for one second and see if the chest rises.
If the chest rises – provide 2nd rescue breath.
If the chest doesn't rise, repeat the head-tilt, chin-lift procedure then give a second breath.
Start chest compressions again to restore blood circulation.
As and when an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, apply it using manufacturer instructions. Provide one shock, then resume chest compressions for two more minutes, and then give a second shock. If an AED isn't available, switch to the next step.
Continue CPR until there are signs of movement or emergency medical personnel arrive.
Note: In the case of 2 people (rescuer) available to help, after every 5 cycles of 30:2, or every 2 minutes, the compressor should call for a switch.
Whenever you see a child in such an emergency of unconsciousness with no breathing, always call call 108 on priority, the emergency medical service number, then start CPR immediately.
