Imagine that somewhere you are, perhaps in your own home, someone suddenly falls down. They are not responding to your calls, are unconscious, and are not breathing. What do you do? Many people panic at a time like this. But if you don't panic and know exactly what to do, you can save a precious life. The most important thing we can do at a time like this is CPR. Today, we will talk about this simply, in a way that anyone can understand.
Simply put, what is CPR?
The full meaning of CPR is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation . In Sinhala, it means something like cardiopulmonary resuscitation. But we use the word CPR in everyday speech.
This is what we do if someone's heart suddenly stops, that is, if they have a cardiac arrest . When the heart stops, blood does not flow to other organs of the body, especially the brain. Then within a few minutes, those organs begin to be damaged. With CPR, we try to restart the person's heart and keep blood pumping throughout the body, keeping vital organs like the brain alive, until medical help arrives.
When should CPR be performed?
These four things must be met to determine if someone needs CPR. These are very easy to remember.
| Sign | What does that mean? |
|---|---|
| 1. Sudden collapse | The person suddenly falls unconscious and falls to the ground. |
| 2. Unresponsive | There is no response to your talking or patting on the shoulder. |
| 3. Not Breathing | It doesn't look like he's breathing, his chest isn't moving up and down. |
| 4. No Pulse | When I place two fingers on the side of my neck, I can't feel a pulse. |
Remember, we only start CPR if all four of these things are present. Even if someone is unconscious, if they are breathing and have a pulse, there is no need to perform CPR.
Things to do first before starting CPR
Okay, now imagine that the person in front of you has all four of the above characteristics. There are a few things you should definitely do before starting CPR.
1. Call for help immediately: If you are alone, first call 1990 and get an ambulance . If there is someone nearby, tell someone to call 1990. If you are in a place like a hospital or office, you can tell someone to get an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) immediately. This is a machine that is used to give an electric shock to the heart and restart it.
2. Check using the ABC method: Perform this ABC check to determine if the person needs CPR.
| Letter | Inspection | How to do it |
|---|---|---|
| A - Airway | Respiratory tract | Turn the person face up, tilt the head back slightly, and lift the chin. Open the mouth and check for anything stuck inside. If you see something, remove it with your finger. |
| B - Breathing | Breathing | Place your cheek close to the person's mouth and nose for about 10 seconds. Look for breathing, audible breathing sounds, and chest rising and falling. |
| C - Circulation | Blood circulation (pulses) | Using your index and middle fingers, feel for a pulse on the side of the person's neck (slightly to the side of the collarbone) for a few seconds. |
If there is no breathing or pulse after this check, you should start CPR immediately.
The correct way to perform CPR step by step
There are two main methods of CPR.
- Hands-only CPR: This involves rapid, continuous chest compressions. Even an untrained person can do this.
- CPR with Breaths: This involves giving mouth-to-mouth breaths while performing chest compressions. It is best to have some training to do this.
Research has found that in an emergency, especially outside of a hospital, hands-only CPR is often enough to save a life. So if you don't feel confident giving breaths, just doing chest compressions without thinking about it can make a big difference.
How to do Chest Compressions
1. Correct position: Kneel on the side of the unconscious person.
2. How to place your hands: Place one hand on top of the other and interlace your fingers. Now place these joined hands in the middle of the person's chest, exactly in the middle of the line between the two nipples.
3. Push-ups: Keep your elbows straight and use your body weight to push your chest down quickly and forcefully, so that your shoulders are directly over your hands.
- How deep? You should push in until your chest is about 2 inches deep (about the width of a credit card).
- How fast? You should do it at a speed of between 100-120 beats per minute . An easy way to remember this speed is to do it to the beat of a song like "Stayin' Alive."
- The most important thing: After pushing once, you need to allow your chest to fully rise again. Only then should you push again.
You get tired quickly when you do this. So if there is someone nearby, switch to them when you feel tired. But the most important thing is to keep doing it until the ambulance arrives.
Giving Rescue Breaths
If you are trained in CPR, you can give artificial respiration between chest compressions.
- Rate: After 30 chest compressions, give 2 breaths .
- How to do it:
1. Open the airway by tilting the person's head back and lifting the chin.
2. Pinch your nose tightly with one hand.
3. Place your mouth completely over the person's mouth and take a normal breath (not a very deep breath) for about a second.
4. Check to see if the person's chest rises when you breathe in. If the chest rises, it's successful.
5. Give the first breath, give the second breath in the same way, and immediately start chest compressions again .
Are there any risks in performing CPR?
Yes, there are some risks. Sometimes, rib fractures or minor injuries to the organs inside the chest can occur due to the forceful compression of the chest.
But remember, the risk is worth it when you consider the potential for saving a life. If you don't perform CPR, the outcome is far more likely to be death. So don't be afraid, do this with the intention of saving a life.
Take-Home Message
- CPR is a very valuable first aid method that can save the life of someone who has suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.
- If someone is unconscious, not breathing, and has no pulse, the first thing to do is call 1990 and get an ambulance.
- Even if you don't have extensive training in CPR, performing "Hands-only CPR" (chest compressions only) can make a significant contribution to saving a life.
- When performing chest compressions, do them hard and fast (100-120 times per minute). Allow the chest to fully rise after each compression.
- Don't be afraid. Try. Your actions may give someone another chance at life. If possible, taking a CPR training course from a reputable institution is very valuable for you and your loved ones.
- If you have any doubts about any health issue, please consult your doctor for advice.
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