How to rescue victims of cardiac arrest

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.

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.

In conjunction with the management of the Life Scan and Wellness health care, Lagos, there will be an enlightenment and health education session on Saturday January 16 from 8am.

Also, medical checks and necessary blood tests will be conducted throughout this January.

Participants are to indicate their interest by calling or sending text messages to 08023044890 or 08186549147.

Dietary guides will be available for diabetics and hypertensives.