In recent days the cases and fatalities of cardiac arrests have been increasing, unfortunately the majority of people who are experiencing cardiac arrests are below the age of 50. And people living in metropolitan areas are more likely to experience cardiac arrests when compared to people in rural areas.
Cardiac arrest is a life threatening and emergency situation, where a person’s heart suddenly stops pumping blood, restricting the organs of vital oxygen. Every minute counts in these emergencies, and bystanders can play an important role in increasing the victim’s chance of survival. You can always help people with cardiac arrests and save them from life threatening situations.
What is cardiac arrest?
When the heart stops pumping suddenly and unexpectedly, it can cause cardiac arrest. Blood supply to the brain and other essential organs is cut off if this occurs. Certain arrhythmias that stop the heart from pumping blood can lead to cardiac arrests.
Here are the 6 life saving tips while dealing with cardiac arrest emergencies:
Recognize the cardiac arrest signs:
To help during cardiac arrest emergencies it is important to identify the cardiac arrest signs. Unlike heart attack, where someone might experience chest pain, cardiac arrest often occurs suddenly. Here’s what you can watch for:
Unresponsiveness: The person does not respond to shouts or taps.
Absence of breathing: There will not be any chest rise and fall, or only gasping for breaths
No pulse: If you have experience in checking pulse, feel for the person’s wrist or the artery. In case you are not sure, ask for help immediately.
What are the signs of cardiac arrest to look out for?
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Loss of consciousness
Call for an ambulance:
Before providing any form of first aid, call for an ambulance to shift the victim immediately without wasting any time. Time is extremely important when it comes to cardiac arrest, as brain cells may begin to die within minutes, as there might be no oxygen supply to the cells. Consult the cardiac specialist hospital in Coimbatore to make sure the victim is in the hands of experts.
Check for safety:
Before starting to help the victim, make sure it is safe to approach or help the victim. In case you are in the middle of the road, move the victim to a safer place. And make sure there are no electrical wires or any other sharp or hazardous materials near the victim.
Provide CPR:
CPR or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, is a lifesaving technique that keeps oxygenated blood flowing minimally throughout the body. Here are the best tips to follow while giving CPR to a cardiac arrest victim:
Position yourself correctly: Kneel next to the victim on a firm surface to get the right support.
Chest compressions: Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest, just below the breast area. Interlock your fingers and push down hard and fast, at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Aim for at least 2 inches depth.
Rescue breaths: If needed you can provide mouth-to-mouth breathing or resuscitation, tilt the head slightly backward, pinch the nose to keep it closed, and create a seal with your mouth. Give slow two breaths and observe the chest rise.
Continue cycles: Perform 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths for both adults and children.
Ask for help if needed:
If you are someone who is not trained in providing CPR, immediately ask for someone who can provide it. As both chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation are highly effective in keeping blood flow going. Ask others for help either for providing CPR or even to call for help.
Stay calm and continue to provide CPR until help arrives:
Cardiac arrest emergencies can be both stressful and worrisome. However, staying calm and focusing on your actions is important. Continue CPR cycles until first responders or help arrives and takes over. Remember even basic CPR can significantly increase the survival chances of the victim before getting cardiac arrest treatments.
Learn to provide CPR:
Knowing CPR can make a world of difference in a cardiac arrest situation. It can save several lives and can make a huge difference in the lives of several people. Consider taking up a course on CPR to get trained in providing CPR, which is a life saving act.
Why is it important to learn CPR?
CPR is known to save lives. This technique is a first-line response that can potentially save a life in an emergency, and works to maintain the flow of oxygen to critical organs, particularly the brain, until the heart is able to restart its own beating.
Important Takeaway:
By recognizing the signs, acting quickly, and potentially performing CPR, you can be a hero in a cardiac arrest situation. Remember, every second counts. Take action, stay calm, and give the victim the best chance of survival. Make sure to reach out to the best cardiac hospital in Coimbatore in case you or anyone is dealing with symptoms of cardiac arrest emergencies.
