A medical professional has disclosed that the administration of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on individuals suspected of cardiac arrest can help in saving countless lives.
Disclosing this to DAILY POST during a phone chat on Thursday in Osogbo, Dr Olakunle Moteemi said the heart, working like a machine, can’t pump blood to the rest of the body including the brain and lungs if it is in a state of cardiac arrest.
Moteemi revealed that if nothing is done within minutes to make the heart go back to pumping blood, death is imminent.
Insisting that when someone’s heart stops beating, they are likely in cardiac arrest, he explained that CPR works by keeping a person’s blood flowing until healthcare professionals can help them.
“When you start CPR immediately after someone’s heart stops beating, this doubles or even triples the person’s chances of surviving compared to when you do nothing.
“CPR has saved countless lives. Everyone reading this please learn how to perform CPR because cardiac arrest often happens at home. With CPR, saving a life is easier than you might think.
“People without first aid training can still save a life by using these CPR steps,” he said.
While advising on what to do in a situation of cardiac arrest, the physician advised that the environment must be safe and the people around must call out for help.
“Check the person’s response. Lay them on the back and check the person’s airways. If the person is not breathing or just gasping, immediately start CPR with 30 chest compression and give two rescue breaths.
“Repeat 30 compressions to 2 breaths until an ambulance or AED (Automated External Defibrillator) arrives.
“As soon as an AED arrives, turn it on and follow the prompts. Continue CPR until the person starts to breathe or move, or until the medical team arrives to take over from you.
“Also for good CPR, push at least two inches in the center of the chest, at a rate of 100 to 120 pushes a minute. Allow the chest to come back up to its normal position after each push,” he added.
