Why Hands-only CPR?

Never do nothing!

Thousands of lives could be saved every year in Pakistan if common people know how to do hands-only CPR (CPR). We’re providing CPR training across the Pakistan to make sure that when someone has a cardiac arrest, the Pakistani public know what to do to save a life.

A comprehensive CPR stands for Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation. Cardio means “of the heart” and pulmonary means “of the lungs.” Resuscitation is a medical word that means “to revive” — or bring back to life. Hands-only CPR (also called as CO-CPR – Compressions-only – CPR) is a skill with focus on pushing hard and fast on the chest without giving rescue breaths.

Why learn CPR?

Cardiac problems are more common than you think, and they can happen to anyone, at any age, anywhere and anytime. It causes the person to fall unconscious and stop breathing. Without CPR the person will die within minutes.

CPR should only be used if someone is:

• unconscious and not breathing
• unconscious and not breathing normally.

Who can you save with CPR?

The life you save with CPR is mostly likely to be a loved one. More than 70% of arrests occur at home.

How does CPR help?

By performing chest compressions, you are pumping blood, in the circulation system, throughout the brain and body to delay the tissue death and to extend the brief window of opportunity for a successful resuscitation without permanent brain damage. Every second counts – any delay can quickly reduce a person’s chance of survival.

How to do Hands-only CPR:

• Step 1: Shake and shout
• Step 2: Check for normal breathing
• Step 3: Call 1122/EMS
• Step 4: Start Hands-only CPR
• Step 5: Continue until an ambulance arrives

Step 1: Shake and shout

If you come across someone who is unconscious, always check for danger and look for risks before you start helping.

• Check for a response – gently shake the person’s shoulders and ask loudly ‘are you alright?’
• Shout for help – if someone is nearby, ask them to stay as you might need them. If you are alone, shout loudly to attract attention, but don’t leave the person.

Step 2: Check for normal breathing

Someone having a cardiac arrest won’t be breathing, or won’t be breathing normally. They also won’t be conscious. Keeping their head back, check if the person is breathing normally by looking for:

• regular chest movements
• listening for breathing
• feeling for breath on your cheek.

Look, listen and feel for no more than 10 seconds. Don’t confuse gasps with normal breathing. If you’re not sure if their breathing is normal, act as if it’s not normal.

• If you’re sure the person is breathing normally, then put them in the recovery position and call 1122/EMS.
• If breathing isn’t normal, open their airway. Place one hand on the person’s forehead, gently tilt their head back, then lift their chin using two fingers of your other hand under their chin – when you do this you open their airway.

Step 3: Call 1122/EMS

If the person is not breathing or not breathing normally:

• ask someone to call 1122/EMS immediately and ask for an ambulance
• check if AED is available and use it.

If you can’t find anyone to help, call 1122/EMS before you start Hands-only CPR.

Step 4: Start Hands-only CPR

• Kneel next to the person.
• Place the heel of one hand in the centre of their chest. Place your other hand on top of the first. Interlock your fingers.
• With straight arms, use the heel of your hand to push the breastbone down firmly and smoothly, so that the chest is pressed down between 5–6 cm, and release.
• Do this at a rate of 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute – that’s around 2 per second.
• Push hard and fast. Don’t worry about hurting someone. A cracked rib can be mended – just concentrate on saving a life.

Step 5: Continue until an ambulance arrives

Keep going until professional help arrives and takes over, or the person starts to show signs of regaining consciousness, such as coughing, opening their eyes, speaking, or breathing normally.

If you’re feeling tired, and there’s someone nearby to help, instruct them to continue. It’s not as hard as it looks.

FATSAL is pleased to announce series of CPR Workshops in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi in the month of September and October to raise awareness about cardiac emergencies and train people in CPR and anti-choking skills to save lives.

These workshops are 2-hours session where adult, child and infant manikins would be available for hands-on learning. Also the anti-choking trainer would be there to learn how to offer relief to choking person.

These workshops are open for ages 15 and over. Pre-registration is must. The workshop fee is set for per person (Lahore/Islamabad =500/- PKR and for Karachi =650/- PKR) which includes training supplies, wallet card for quick reference, certification and tea/refreshment. There would be only 20 participants & appropriate equipment/supplies available to ensure you have ample time and quality learning session. There are multiple sessions of 2-hours each on any given day.

For Your Safety,
Faisal Javed Mir & First Aid to Save a Life Pakistan

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