What is it about ?
Resuscitation or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) consists of providing artificial respiration and circulation.
If a person suddenly collapses and is unconscious, unresponsive, and breathing, resuscitation should be started immediately. It is very important to intervene quickly, not only to increase the chances of survival, but also to avoid the consequences of brain damage caused by lack of oxygen.
Resuscitation consists of providing respiratory assistance and performing cardiac massage.
If you have not had training in mouth-to-mouth mouth, you may be able to start cardiac massage without mouth-to-mouth. Thanks to cardiac massage, blood circulation continues to the brain and heart. During the first two minutes after cardiac arrest, the heart still has enough oxygen, so resuscitation can be successful even without mouth-to-mouth.
This simplified resuscitation technique is easier to perform and, thanks to it, more people are able to provide effective help during cardiac arrest. Cardiac massage should be continued until medical help arrives or until the heart has returned to beating.
What can you do on site?
If you witness a possible cardiac arrest, follow the step-by-step plan described below:
- Pay attention to safety.
- Check the victim’s state of consciousness.
Speak loudly and clearly to him first, and see if there is a reaction. If she does not respond, call for help as soon as possible, and call emergency services. - Call 112 (or have someone call).
Specify that it is an unconscious person, and put your phone on speaker. - Check breathing (maximum 10 seconds!)
Place one hand on the victim’s forehead and the other hand on his chin; carefully tilt the victim’s head back. Check to see if the chest is moving and if air is flowing through the nose or mouth. Feel if there is anything in the mouth that could interfere with breathing. - Have someone pick up an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if there is one nearby. Do not go looking for it yourself, unless it is nearby.
There is an automated external defibrillator (AED) in most public places; it comes in a green box or green packaging. - Start resuscitation:
- Give 30 chest compressions.
Press in the middle of the chest. Compress the chest by pushing it in 5 to 6 cm. Press 100 to 120 times per minute. - Perform 2 breaths.
Open the victim’s mouth. Pinch his nostrils, and quietly breathe air into his mouth for 1 second.
Check that his chest is lifting.
Never stop chest compressions for more than 10 seconds! - Alternate 30 chest compressions and 2 breaths and continue like this.
Unless it is not possible to give mouth to mouth (for example because you have not received first aid training). Then always continue the chest compressions. - Continue resuscitation until the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is there. Stop chest compressions for as short a time as possible.
- Do not stop when the ambulance arrives, but continue until the health care providers tell you it is okay to stop and they take over.
- If more than one person can provide resuscitation, change every two minutes. Interrupt resuscitation as short as possible.
- Give 30 chest compressions.
What can health care providers do?
The SMUR team (SMUR stands for Emergency Mobile Service and Resuscitation) can also perform intubation on site to optimize breathing. Intubation involves placing a tube in the airways to be able to ventilate. The SMUR team also places an IV in order to be able to administer drugs to restore the heart rhythm. CPR continues until the heart rate is normal again or at least 30 minutes have passed since the cardiac arrest.
What can you do ?
Taking a class where you learn basic CPR techniques can save lives! For this, you can contact the Red Cross, which offers these trainings regularly.
Sources