The Importance of Learning CPR

The Importance of Learning CPR

What will you do if someone close to you suffers a cardiac arrest? Most of use would call 911 (in Australia – call 000). However, it’s important you don’t panic when this situation happens. If you learn how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to the patient before the arrival of medics, you could just save someone’s life. CPR increases survival rates of cardiac arrest victims. CPR courses are essential, especially when it comes to saving lives. Knowledge in CPR can help you resuscitate an individual who gets an out-of-hospital heart attack. American Heart Association (AHA) study shows that most bystanders are untrained; therefore, they can’t help much if something goes wrong. In this article, we are going to learn more about cardiac arrest and CPR.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

The main objective of CPR is to maintain the oxygen flow within and out of the lungs. Also, the process helps oxygenated blood to reach the entire body. Most people confuse sudden cardiac arrest and heart attack, although they are quite different. For example, when there is an interference of regular heart impulses, a sudden cardiac arrest might happen, further stopping the heart from pumping. In contrary, the final stage of a heart disease results in a heart attack which slows and hinders the flow of blood to the muscles of the heart. With numerous courses offered like cpr course in Melbourne, you will learn the basics of CPR to help cardiac arrest victims survive.

Chances of Survival

Blood has to properly circulate in your body for the tissues to remain active and functioning. Blood flow that stops for about 4 minutes might not necessarily damage the brain. However, if it stops for 7 minutes, your brain will suffer irreparable damage. CPR is usually effective when done in the first 6 min of cardiac arrest. If it is a case of near-drowning, the person might experience Low body temperatures, decreasing brain survival chances. According to findings, out of about 100,000 people, 50 to 100 of them will suffer sudden cardiac arrest. With lower chances of cardiac arrest survival, a quick CPR could help increase the chances of survival.

The below steps are crucial to a cardiac arrest individual:

• If symptoms of cardiac arrest are detected early, an initial step to treatment will significantly help. You can notice symptoms like the victim collapsing and being unresponsive.
• Before you do anything, ensure the area is safe to get to the person
• You have to tap the person’s shoulder to confirm if he or she is still responsive. Ask the person if he or she is OK
• In case the person is unresponsive, then call for help immediately as you begin chest compressions. If you can’t detect the person’s pulse within 10 seconds, do not postpone performing the chest compressions.

Conclusion

Learning CPR basics could help save lives in an out-of-hospital environment. For instance, CPR courses offer a complete information sheet with CPR basics and guidelines for directing compressions for qualified and inexperienced people. CPR refresher course is recommendable because CPR deteriorates in 3 to 6 months. Training intervals of 12 to 24 months are not enough hence refresher courses after every six months will help sharpen your skills.