National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Week 4 - 10 November 2013

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure, which is used to help oxygen-rich blood reach the brain, when the heart has stopped pumping. It is used as an interim measure until such time as appropriate medical intervention can restore blood flow and breathing.
National Cardiopulmonary CPR Week is held at the beginning of November every year to make more South Africans aware of this lifesaving procedure.

GEMS member Thobela Notshoba recently visited his friend's home in Durban. They were enjoying a cup of coffee together when Thobela's friend noticed that his five-year-old son was no longer with them. Together the two went looking for the boy.

The two friends were horrified when they saw the little boy face down in the swimming pool. Thobela did not hesitate to jump in to save him. He pulled the toddler to the side of the swimming pool where it was established that he was no longer breathing.

Fortunately Thobela had completed a first aid course and knew how to do CPR. While his friend called the emergency services he immediately started CPR on the infant. After a few minutes the emergency services arrived and managed to get the little boy's heart beating again. The toddler was taken to hospital and was fortunately discharged that same day. The paramedics later said that the CPR had kept oxygen flowing to the toddler's brain and had probably saved his life. The little boy's father is deeply grateful to Thobela for saving the life of his precious son.
Lifesaving
CPR is a procedure that is used when a person's breathing has stopped and they have gone into cardiac arrest. It keeps blood and oxygen circulating to the brain until emergency services personnel can reach the victim to provide life support.

CPR is a powerful emergency procedure. Research has shown that if more people knew CPR, the lives of more patients in cardiac arrest would be saved. Is CPR is given immediately it can double or even triple an individual's chance of survival. On the other hand, if no CPR is performed, it only takes three to four minutes for the person to become brain dead as a result of a lack of oxygen.

Learning CPR
There are a number of good first aid courses available that members of the public can benefit from. CPR techniques have changed substantially in recent years but a reputable first aid course will teach you the latest, best CPR techniques. It is important to learn both adult and infant CPR as techniques differ considerably.

What to do in an emergency
The following steps should be taken if an individual goes into cardiac arrest or stops breathing:

• Identify danger - Always be conscious of any dangers that exist around you when assisting an individual in need of medical attention. Never attempt to help someone if it will put you both at risk.
• Look for a response - Once you are certain that your surroundings will not put you and the patient in danger you can check if the patient is breathing by touching and talking to him or her. If there is no response, call for medical assistance before conducting CPR.
• Clear the airway - While waiting for the ambulance to arrive, gently tilt the patient's head back to open the airway. Check if nothing is blocking the airway, if there are objects blocking the airway, gently roll the patient onto their side. Carefully tilt their head back to open their mouth and quickly remove the object from the mouth. Once the airway is cleared, roll the patient back to the original position so that you can conduct CPR.
• Cardiac compressions - Check if the patient is still not breathing before starting with cardiac compressions. If the patient is still conscious, carefully place the heel of one hand on the lower half of the person's chest and the other hand on top while interlocking your fingers. Push down hard in the centre of the chest 30 times while increasing the speed to at least 100 beats per minute.
• Mouth-to-mouth - If the patient is still not breathing normally after the chest compressions, open the airway by gently tilting the patient's head back. Close the patient's nostrils with your finger and thumb. Place your mouth over the patient's mouth and breathe into it twice. If there is still no breathing, check the airway again for any obstructions and repeat the chest compressions until the patient is breathing. Continue performing CPR until emergency services arrive.

Once the victim regains consciousness ensure that the patient remains calm until medical assistance arrives. Keep in mind that it is important to call for medical assistance before performing CPR.

Lives can be saved
Lives can be saved through the proper use of CPR. The Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) therefore wholeheartedly supports National Cardiopulmonary CPR Week and encourages all South Africans to learn this all-important procedure.

Sources:
http://www.resuscitationcouncil.co.za/
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Cardiopulmonary_resuscitation_(CPR)