Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving method used during emergencies, such as heart attacks, when someone’s heart has stopped beating. Learning about when and how to perform CPR can help keep blood circulating and oxygen flowing to vital organs until professional help arrives. This blog will explain what is CPR and guide you through the step-by-step process, giving you the knowledge needed to act confidently during emergencies.
What is CPR?
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency life-saving procedure used when a person’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. CPR combines chest compressions and rescue breathing to maintain blood flow and oxygenation to vital organs, particularly the brain. It is used in situations like cardiac arrest, drowning, or suffocation when immediate action is needed.
CPR Statistics in India: The Need for Awareness
Awareness and knowledge of Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in India are very low. Recent data shows that less than 2% of India’s population knows how to perform CPR. In a country with such a large population, this lack of understanding is a big health challenge. Every year, around 4,280 out of every 100,000 people in India suffer from cardiac arrest. However, survival rates remain low, mainly because of delayed emergency response and the lack of immediate CPR.
Special events, like CPR Day on July 27, promote the importance of learning this skill. These events aim to motivate more people across India to take up CPR training. However, more work is needed to make cardiopulmonary resuscitation a common skill, like learning to drive or ride a bike. The goal is to make people feel confident enough to use CPR in emergencies, which could save many lives each year.
The Procedure of CPR
There are two main stages involved in cardiopulmonary resuscitation: the preparation stage and the CPR stage itself. Understanding the procedure of CPR can help you act immediately when an emergency arises.
Stage 1: Preparation
- Check the Scene: Before approaching the patient, check the environment for any dangers like traffic, fire, or unstable structures. Make sure it is safe for you to help.
- Check Responsiveness: Tap the patient’s shoulder and speak loudly to see if they respond. Ask, “Are you okay?” If there is no response, call emergency services or ask someone nearby to do so immediately. It is also helpful to find an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if one is available in the area.
- Positioning: Gently lay the patient on their back and tilt their head back to open their airway. This makes it easier to check for any blockages, like food or vomit. If something is blocking the airway and is easy to remove, do so carefully.
CPR Steps: A Step-by-Step Guide
If the patient is unresponsive and not breathing, begin CPR right away. Here’s a simple guide to follow:
Call for Help
The first step is to call emergency services or ask someone else to do so. Quick action is needed to get professional help on the way.
Perform Chest Compressions
Kneel beside the patient and place your hands in the centre of their chest, just below the nipples. Interlock your hands, keeping your elbows straight. Push hard and fast, pressing down at least 2 inches deep. Aim for a rhythm of 100-120 compressions per minute. Let the chest rise fully after each compression.
Give Rescue Breaths
After 30 compressions, open the airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin. Pinch the nose shut, place your mouth over theirs, and blow air into their lungs. Watch for the chest to rise. Give two breaths, allowing the chest to fall between them. If the chest does not rise, recheck the airway for blockages and try again.
Repeat
Continue the cycle of 30 compressions and two breaths until the patient starts breathing again or medical professionals arrive. If an AED is available, keep doing CPR until it is ready for use. The AED will give instructions for you to follow.
When to Use CPR
CPR should be used when a patient is not breathing or is only gasping occasionally and they do not respond when spoken to or tapped. In children and infants, use CPR when they are not breathing normally and do not respond to a check. By starting CPR immediately, you keep oxygenated blood moving, which is important to prevent brain damage.
Some common situations where cardiopulmonary resuscitation might be needed include:
- A cardiac arrest or heart attack
- Choking
- Drowning
- Road accidents
- Suffocation or smoke inhalation
- Drug overdose
- Electrocution
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
If someone is breathing but unconscious, do not start CPR. Instead, place them in the recovery position if possible and keep checking their breathing until help arrives.
Why CPR in Heart Attack Treatment?
Prompt action during a heart attack or cardiac arrest is very important, as it can keep blood flowing to the brain and other organs. Brain damage can start within five minutes of cardiac arrest, so acting quickly is mandatory. This life-saving technique is also an important step in the “Chain of Survival,” which highlights early recognition, fast CPR, and the use of a defibrillator.
When to Visit a Heart Hospital After CPR?
After administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation, it is important to get professional medical help as soon as possible. CPR keeps blood flowing, but advanced care is needed to address the cause of the emergency. Heart hospitals in Delhi have specialised teams and equipment to provide immediate care and stabilise patients. Quick access to healthcare centres like Kalra Hospital can improve recovery chances, offering further heart attack treatment like medication or advanced interventions based on the patient’s condition.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a life-saving skill that everyone can learn and apply in emergencies. Whether it’s for an adult, child, or infant, understanding how to perform CPR enables you to act swiftly and support a person’s chances of recovery. For those residing in Delhi, knowing reliable healthcare centres and heart hospitals like Kalra Hospital is important for accessing specialised care quickly. Institutions like those in the area offer advanced cardiac support, ensuring that prompt medical assistance is available when needed.