How to perform CPR

Learning how to perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) saves lives.

If you were to be with someone who is having a cardiac arrest/heart attack or with someone who has drowned, knowing how to perform CPR could reduce the chances of brain damage and save the person’s life. You don’t have to be a doctor to perform CPR

What is CPR?

CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation is also called as kiss of life or simply heart massage. The good news is performing CPR is easier than pronouncing or spelling Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

When a cardiac arrest occurs, blood stops circulating around the body. Breathing, though troubled does not stop for a few minutes. When oxygen supply is cut, cells in the body start dying. Brain damage starts to occur within 4-5 minutes, when oxygen supply is cut.

It must be understood that CPR itself will not cause a heart to restart or it does not restore the heart to normalcy. CPR is only to ensure that oxygenated blood flows throughout the body until emergency services arrive. A person having a heart attack will need CPR immediately and a defibrillator.

CPR is only an interim process that could just save a life or prevent brain damage. In India, most of the cardiac  deaths (sudden) occur while the patient is being transferred to a hospital

Hence it is important to keep two things in mind incase you are with a person who is having a cardiac arrest

• Perform CPR
• Place a call to emergency service. Call for ambulance immediately

How to perform CPR

CPR is typically performed in cases of cardiac arrest. Symptoms and signs of cardiac arrest include absence of heartbeats, blood flow and pulse. When blood stops flowing to the brain, the person becomes unconscious and stops regular breathing.

The ABCs of CPR are Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. This acronym is used to help you remember the steps to take when performing CPR.

Check the victim for unresponsiveness.

Check if the person is not responsive and not breathing or not breathing normally.

Do not attempt to bring the person in to consciousness as the likeliness of it is zero.

Place a call to the nearest emergency/ambulance service. Google now and take down the number of the nearest ambulance service and save it in your mobile phones. Call the number to check if it goes to the right place.

If the victim is not breathing normally, coughing or moving, start chest compressions.

CPR Method 1: Push down in the center of the chest 2 inches at least 30 times. Pump hard and fast at the rate of at least 100/minute, faster than once per second.

CPR Method 2:

Open the airway. With one hand, tilt the person’s head back. With 2 fingers of your other hand, lift the person’s chin up. If the airway is still blocked, tilt the person’s head gently and slowly until the airway is open. Pinch nose and cover the mouth with yours and blow until you see the chest rise. Give 2 breaths.  Each breath should take 1 second.

Remember if a person has met with an accident or has a neck injury do not place stress while performing CPR. Under such circumstances just lift the chin and blow until you see the chest rise. Pumping the chest is not advised when the person has neck injury. This is only in case when the victim has met with an accident.

In case of cardiac arrest, bring the person to a comfortable position before performing CPR. Lay him/her on his back and then perform CPR.

In case of Emergency

CRITICAL MOMENTS

Symptoms of a heart attack can be confusing. The most common cardiac arrest symptoms have been listed below:

Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes.

Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck, back or arms. The pain may be mild to intense. It may feel like pressure, tightness, burning, or heavy weight. It may be located in the chest, upper abdomen, neck, jaw, or inside the arms or shoulders (Pain areas in a heart attack).

Indigestion; particularly if indigestion is unusual for you, if it does not respond to antacids, or if you do not associate its occurrence with eating.

Chest discomfort with light headedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath.

Anxiety, nervousness and/or cold, sweaty skin.

Paleness or pallor.

Increased or irregular heart rate.

Feeling of impending doom.

Not all of these signs occur in every attack. Sometimes they go away and return. IF YOU NOTICE ONE OR MORE OF THESE SIGNS IN YOURSELF OR OTHERS, DON’T WAIT. CALL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES RIGHT AWAY! In the event of cardiopulmonary arrest (no breathing or pulse), begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately.

Not all kind of pain is a cardiac attack, sometimes or more often it’s a condition called Angina Pectoris or Angina which is a precursor to heart attack.

In medical terms Angina is a result of Ischemia – lack of blood to the heart muscles and hence the lack of oxygen.

When is it an Angina Pectoris and not a cardiac attack?

·         Physical exertion

·         During stress

·         Emotionally charged situation

·         Cold weather

·         After a big meal

The heart beats faster in these situations.

The pain is quite distinct. It is described as: “a heavy, strangulating, suffocating experience-far more intense than anything like indigestion, chest wall injuries, pleurisy or spasms of the esophagus that you are familiar with.”

When you feel you are having an angina, it helps if you place nitroglycerine under the tongue. Angina pain usually does not last more than 15 minutes. If pain persists it’s advisable to seek medical help immediately.

And if you have already had an attack and are under medication you MUST carry your medical documents wherever you go!! Yes, you need to take it to your workplace as well. NOW WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU FEEL YOU ARE GETTING A HEART ATTACK:

1.    Pop in aspirin to limit the extent of the attack.

(ASPIRIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR PEOPLE ALLERGIC TO THE DRUG)