Cardiac Arrest: How Important is First Aid to Save The Life

Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency that occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating. This can happen due to a variety of reasons, including a heart attack, an electrical problem in the heart, or an injury to the chest. Cardiac arrest can be fatal if not treated immediately, but knowing the proper first aid techniques can help increase the chances of survival. In this article, we will discuss the first aid for cardiac arrest, its importance, and its application.

Importance of First Aid for Cardiac Arrest:

Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death globally. In India, it is estimated that nearly 3 million people die due to heart-related diseases every year, which includes cardiac arrest as well. The immediate application of first aid techniques can significantly increase the survival rate of patients. The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that for every minute that passes without CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and defibrillation, the chance of survival of a cardiac arrest victim decreases by 7-10%. This underlines the importance of knowing the right first aid techniques for cardiac arrest.

First Aid Techniques for Cardiac Arrest:

The first aid techniques for cardiac arrest include CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and defibrillation. Let's discuss each of these in detail.

CPR:

CPR is a technique that is used to manually pump the heart when it has stopped beating. This technique is done by pushing down on the chest with your hands, which helps to circulate blood and oxygen throughout the body. Here's how to perform CPR

• Check for responsiveness: Tap the victim's shoulder and shout, "Are you okay?" If there is no response, proceed to the next step.
• Call for help: Call the emergency services or ask someone nearby to do so.
• Check for breathing: Tilt the victim's head back and check for breathing. If there is no breathing, proceed to the next step.
• Perform chest compressions: Place the heel of one hand on the center of the victim's chest and place the other hand on top. Push down hard and fast at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. Continue until help arrives.

Defibrillation:

Defibrillation is a technique used to deliver an electric shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm. Defibrillators are available in many public places such as airports, malls, and train stations. They are also available in many hospitals and clinics. Here's how to use a defibrillator:

• Turn on the defibrillator: Press the power button to turn on the defibrillator.
• Attach the pads: Attach the pads to the victim's chest as shown in the instructions provided with the defibrillator.
• Follow the prompts: Follow the voice prompts provided by the defibrillator. It will analyze the victim's heart rhythm and tell you when to deliver a shock.
• Deliver the shock: If prompted, press the shock button to deliver the electric shock to the victim's heart.

In India, the awareness of cardiac arrest is very low, and only a small percentage of the population knows about CPR and defibrillation. This is a major reason why the survival rate of cardiac arrest patients in India is very low compared to other countries. According to a study published in the Indian Heart Journal, the survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in India is only 1.4%, while in the US, it is around 10%. This highlights the urgent need to spread awareness about cardiac arrest and its first aid techniques.

Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Knowing the proper first aid techniques, such as CPR and defibrillation, can significantly increase the chances of survival.

Ref Link

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/presentations/100215_2.htm

https://www.helsana.ch/en/blog/body/knowledge-of-the-body/first-aid-cardiac-arrest.html