November is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) awareness month and it is important to know how and when to perform it.
CPR is a skill that could save a person’s life. Emergencies can arise any time with anyone.
“When CPR is performed it means making sure that there is still blood flow to the brain and vital organs in the absence of a heartbeat,” said Willem Stassen, ER24 Critical Care Paramedic.
If you find a patient who is unconscious, not breathing and without a pulse you should start CPR immediately. It is suggested that any patient who is not breathing or who is breathing abnormally should have CPR started immediately.
CPR provides blood and oxygen to the heart muscle during compression in order for the heart to have the energy to restart. By implementing CPR, blood will flow to vital organs.
How do you perform CPR?
•Apply external pressure to the chest by means of compression
•Interlock your fingers and place both your hands on the breast bone of the chest
•Press down onto the breast bone and keep your arms straight
•Release the compression and repeat at a rate of at least 100 compressions per minute
It is not required to do mouth-to-mouth because it discourages people from starting CPR, delaying the start of chest compressions.
By learning how to apply CPR you could save a person’s life.
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