First aid in case of cardiac arrest

Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone – whether in the office, at home or in the subway. With up to 100,000 cases per year, it ranks among the leading causes of death in US. Those affected are dependent on quick help, because one case of a cardiac arrest occure every minute. The good news is: Everyone can help and save a life with very simple means. However, many people do not dare – for fear of doing something wrong. It is the only thing that you can do wrong – nothing to do.

Check – call – press.

If we see that a person collapses unconscious, the applies principle is: check call, press. Check if the person reacts to speech or a shake on shoulder and still regularly breathes. If this is not the case, call the emergency services at 911. Are other people in the vicinity, you should ask them to depose the emergency. Then begin as soon as possible with the chest compressions, ie, stuck in the middle of the chest and press up to 100 times a minute. This is done until the emergency services arrive.

With every minute that heart is resting, brain cells are die off and the probability of survival decreases by 10 percent. The rescue service needs even in a city like New York an average of 10 minutes until it arrives at an emergency. Without immediate aid, it is then too late for most of those affected.

The chest compressions is critical.

The chest compressions also can not go wrong if someone with no experience. The worst thing that can happen is that for example a rib breaks. You can bring the compressions no healthy heart out of rhythm. Those familiar with the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and this can apply: by 30 units chest compressions come 2 breaths. But the ultimate measure is the chest compressions: By pumping the residual air that is always in our lungs, distributed in the body and maintains a minimal supply for the brain intact until the emergency services arrive.

Even prior to the application of an “Automated External Defibrillator” (AED) must have no fear. The units are designed for use by laymen, the helper must attach only the adhesive electrodes. “Check if your heart ever needs a support and give the helpers specific voice prompts, such as: responsive Now the patient.” says the anesthesiologist.