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How To Rescue Victims Of Cardiac Arrest by Carrottop(m): 9:44pm On Jan 13, 2016 |
I have put this piece up as a continuation of my last article
entitled ‘Sudden death syndrome is not so sudden’. I
mentioned in that piece that cases of SDS from cardiac
arrest are on the increase in the country, thereby creating
worries and anxieties.
As a reminder, a cardiac arrest occurs when the heart
suddenly stops beating. A person who has a cardiac arrest
would have slumped and become unresponsive to touch.
The person will most likely die if he or she does not receive
immediate treatment.
It is often caused by a heart attack from complicated
medical conditions like hypertension; but other things, such
as drowning and electric shock, can also cause it.
Many things such as drowning, choking, sudden infant
death syndrome, asthma, infections or congenital
abnormalities, can cause cardiac arrest in children.
Interventions
When a person slumps, whether or not the victim survives
depends largely upon the immediate intervention of
bystanders. There is a brief time frame for saving the
victim’s life.
The victims can survive if they receive immediate
assistance from those around .To be effective, this
treatment must be delivered quickly — ideally, within five
minutes after collapsing.
Even the best emergency medical services may not be able
to reach a victim within five minutes. This is why a prompt
action by bystanders is so critical and why it is so important
for all to have training in what we called Basic Life Support.
Basic life support
The BLS is the level of medical care, which is used for
victims of life-threatening illnesses or injuries until they can
be given full medical care at a hospital.
Medical personnel, including paramedics and laypersons,
who have received BLS training, can provide this service.
While the victim needs to be laid down on a flat surface
probably on the floor, lying on the back, the rescuer should
not attempt to sit the victim down as no active resuscitation
is done that way.
The usual practice of pouring water on the head or body of
a victim should be discouraged. This may cause
hypothermia (low temperature) which is not good for
survival.
It is not time to start forcing milk or malt drink in the
person’s mouth; this is dangerous as it may block the
airway. When the victims get to the hospital, it is always
challenging trying to clear the airway of the particles in the
mouth.
BLS is generally used in the pre-hospital setting, at home
and can be provided without medical equipment.
The BLS procedure is explained below with an acronym:
DRS ABCD
D: Check for danger signs. In cases of electrocution,
rescuers should avoid moving too close to ensure their own
safety (safety first).
R: Check for response by calling the person and shaking the
shoulders.
S: If there is no response, shout for help. Get a second
person to call the emergency numbers or the hospitals.
A: Check that the airway is open and clear any secretions
from mouth and nostrils.
B: Check for any signs of breathing.
C: Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Give 30 chest
compressions: Two breaths called ‘Kiss of life’. Continue
CPR until responsiveness or normal breathing returns.
Do not stop to check the victim or discontinue CPR unless
the victim starts to show signs of regaining consciousness,
such as coughing, opening of the eyes, speaking or
breathing.
Once the medical personnel or ambulance arrives, the
rescuer may assist in moving the victim to the ambulance
for onward transport to hospital.
Defibrillator: A defibrillator is a machine that gives the
person’s heart a controlled electric shock that may make it
to start beating again.
The steps listed above are guides and not training. It is
mandatory for persons interested in doing CPR to attend the
BLS training or have one done.
Conclusion
Regular medical check-up is key to preventing a cardiac
arrest and should be promoted. Those who are over 40
years are advised to do a six-monthly or yearly
comprehensive medical screening under the supervision of
their physicians.
Those with unexplained or persistent symptoms such as
weakness, weight loss, headache, body pain, and tiredness
will also need guided medical checks. http://www.punchng.com/how-to-rescue-victims-of-cardiac-arrest/ Cc: Afam4eva lalasticlala seun 1 Like |
Re: How To Rescue Victims Of Cardiac Arrest by prahcetomi(m): 9:50pm On Jan 13, 2016 |
Nice one really.......This should get to FP |
Re: How To Rescue Victims Of Cardiac Arrest by Amhappy(f): 8:09am On Jan 14, 2016 |
Thank you for this information |
(1) (Reply)
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