Save Someone From Cardiac Arrest

You need not wear nursing uniforms neither be an experienced paramedic to be able to help someone survive cardiac arrest. Even if you’re just a bystander, you can do the priceless act of helping a person whose heart had stopped beating. Pump the chest in sync with your heartbeat 100 times a minute, and don’t stop for anything until emergency team comes.

What does continuously pumping the chest do? What about CPR? While mouth to mouth resuscitation supplies oxygen, pumping the chest or compression-only technique helps circulate oxygen. When the heart stops functioning, slowly the oxygen moves to a halt. Meaning, there is still enough oxygen within the veins or bloodstreams; it just needs to circulate again to keep the vital organs from permanent dysfunction. And this is exactly what continues compression does.

In a massive study conducted in Japan on 2007, survival rate for those who received CPR is 11 percent, while those who got only compression is 19 percent. That is 70 percent chance of surviving the cardiac arrest. In the United States, where heart disease kills the most, this simple procedure can save thousands of lives everyday. You surely would want somebody to do that for you if ever the worst thing happens. And so, do not hesitate to extend anyone who is in dire need.

Cardiac arrest strikes immediately and without warning. But death is a process that can be reversed. You, too, can make that happen. If you see a person with the following symptoms, know what to do.

• The victim suddenly loses responsiveness, and would not response to tapping on shoulders.
• He or she also has no normal breathing. The victim does not take a normal breath with head tilted up for at least five.

• If no one else is around but you, immediately call 9-1-1 or emergency response number in your area
• Do not stay long on phone. Give the location fast and clearly.
• Lay the victim facing up, and pump the chest in sync with your heartbeat until help arrives.

How to pump the chest:

Press the palm on the lower section of the victim's breastbone in hard, rhythmic thrusts

• If you have someone around, ask to call the emergency line.
• Lay the victim facing up, and pump the chest in sync with your heartbeat until help arrives.
• DO NOT DELAY.

It’s also helpful that you know heart attack warning signs. Remember victims normally don’t see the killer coming, and they can be completely helpless. Heart attack can be as deadly as cardiac arrest, and so as heart attack although it slowly starts. Cardiac arrest may begin from heart attack.