Imagine that someone suddenly falls unconscious and falls to the ground in your presence. When you approach them, they are not breathing and their heart is not beating. At times like this, many of us panic and don't know what to do. But if you know how to perform CPR properly, you can help save that person's life. Today, we will talk about this life-saving method.
What is CPR?
CPR is an abbreviation for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation . Simply put, when someone's heart suddenly stops beating, that is , when a cardiac arrest occurs, we try to restart the heart, or at least get some blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs. This is something that anyone can learn. The main part of this is chest compressions. This maintains the heart's function to some extent and continues to send blood to the vital organs until the heart starts beating again.
When should CPR be performed?
For anyone of any age, CPR is necessary if all of the following conditions occur together:
- If someone suddenly falls unconscious.
- If there is no response to talking or touching.
- If you don't breathe.
- If the pulse is not felt.
If you start CPR quickly at a time like this, the chances of saving that person's life can double or triple.
There are two main types of CPR.
The CPR we perform can be divided into two main methods.
| Type of CPR | How to do it |
|---|---|
| Hands-only CPR | Pressing hard and fast in the center of the person's chest, 100-120 times per minute. It's easy to remember the pace by doing this to the beat of a song like "Stayin' Alive." |
| CPR with Breaths | Give 30 chest compressions, then mouth-to-mouth and two rescue breaths. This cycle continues. |
Studies have shown that hands-only CPR can be just as effective for an adult as CPR with rescue breaths during the first few minutes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Things to do before starting CPR
Before you start performing CPR, the most important thing you need to do is call for medical help. In Sri Lanka, call the 1990 (Suvasariya) ambulance service immediately. You can also give them instructions on how to perform CPR over the phone until they arrive. In the meantime, if there is anyone nearby, ask them to find an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) . This is a device that helps revive the heart by giving an electric shock.
Next, remember the ABC method to know exactly if CPR is needed.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| A - Airway | Turn the person upside down, tilt the head back slightly, and open the mouth to check for any obstruction or blockage in the airway. |
| B - Breathing | Put your ear close to the person's face and listen for breathing sounds for about 10 seconds. Also, listen for chest rise and fall. |
| C - Circulation | Check for a pulse. The best place to check is on the side of the neck, under the chin. |
If there is no breathing or pulse, begin CPR immediately.
Okay, now let's do CPR!
The two main components of CPR are chest compressions and rescue breathing. If you are not trained in them, you can do chest compressions alone.
Chest Compressions
- Place one hand on top of the other, interlacing your fingers. Now place both hands in the middle of the person's chest (in the midline between the nipples). For children under 8 years old, use one hand.
- Using your body weight, keep your elbow straight , and press firmly into the center of your chest with the heel of your hand.
- Continue to press at a rate of 100-120 times per minute (that's about twice per second).
- Each time, you need to press down until your chest is about 2 inches below the surface.
- The most important thing is, after you have pressed once, you should let the chest rise completely . Only then should you press again.
Chest compressions can get tiring quickly, so if you have someone to help, take turns doing them when you feel tired.
Giving Rescue Breaths
If you have training in this, you can give two artificial respirations after 30 chest compressions.
- Cover the person's nose with two fingers. Tilt the head back slightly and lift the chin up.
- Place your mouth firmly over the person's mouth and take a normal breath in. You should see the chest rise.
- Give two breaths like this, and then start pressing on the chest again quickly.
How long should CPR be performed?
Continue CPR until the ambulance or medical help arrives, or until the person starts breathing again. As mentioned earlier, if you are tired, take turns with another person who is available to help.
Are there any risks in performing CPR?
Yes, there is some risk. Because in order to maintain blood circulation, we need to press harder on the chest than we think. Because of this, sometimes the chest bones (ribs) can be broken, and the internal organs can be slightly injured. However, when compared to saving someone's life, this is a risk worth bearing. If someone has a serious illness, the results of CPR may vary. You can talk to your doctor about this and be aware of it.
What happens after performing CPR?
Once the first aid teams arrive, they take the patient to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) as soon as possible. At the hospital, doctors check for organ damage due to lack of oxygen. They also find the cause of the cardiac arrest and begin the necessary treatment.
Remember, most of these sudden cardiac arrests happen at home. That means that even if you learn CPR, you may have to be helped by a family member or friend. So it's worth getting training in this.
Take-Home Message
- If someone is knocked unconscious, the first thing to do is call the 1990 ambulance service .
- Next, check to see if the person is responsive, breathing, and has a pulse.
- If none of these are present, begin chest compressions immediately.
- Press down quickly and firmly on the center of the chest, 100-120 times per minute.
- Do not stop performing CPR until medical help arrives or the person recovers.
- Learning CPR may help you save the life of a loved one.
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