Sometime in your life despite your very best attempts to avoid them, you will find yourself caught in emergency situation. Will you be prepared to be a heroine?
Having first aid knowledge and knowing how to act in an emergency situation is essential. It will mean that care can begin as soon as possible for yourself, your family, friends and others in the community.
When an emergency arises first aid is exactly that, ’first aid’. When someone is ill or injured there is usually a short period of time before professional medical assistance arrives. It is this length of time that is most critical to the victim. What you do or don't do during that period of time, can make the difference between life and death.
By having some first aid knowledge and knowing CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), you can have a major impact to the successful outcome of a medical emergency.
Here is one of the most important first aid techniques you should know. This is only a brief guide so ideally enrol in a first aid course. It’ll cover things in more depth and give you some hands-on practical knowledge.
CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is used in a range of emergencies, including heart attacks, choking and drowning. In these situations the person is unconscious and has stopped breathing. Before you attempt CPR on anyone, make sure you call for immediate medical assistance by dialling 111.
The goal of CPR is to restore circulation. If you are unable to find a pulse in an unconscious person, heart compression is necessary to restore circulation. These compressions must be coordinated with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation: the breathing delivers air to the lungs while the heart pumps the oxygenated blood to the brain and other parts of the body. Be absolutely certain that there is no heartbeat, as performing CPR when there is can cause the victim to suffer a cardiac arrest.
To begin CPR, place yourself at right angles to the person's chest. Find the base of the breastbone at the centre of the chest where the ribs form a V. Position the heel of one hand on the chest immediately above the V; with the other hand, grasp the first hand from above, intertwining the fingers. Shift your weight forward and upward so that your shoulders are over your hands; straighten your arms and lock your elbows.
To begin pumping the heart, shift your weight onto your hands to depress the person's chest, depressing 4-5cm for the average adult. Compress the chest 15 times in a slow, even rhythm. After 15 compressions, breathe for the person twice. Establish a regular rhythm of compressing and breathing, counting aloud.
The most effective way to learn CPR is by enrolling in a class and learning it first-hand. So check your local phone book as both the Red Cross and St John (and other agencies) will be sure to run classes in your area.
Sometime in your life despite your very best attempts to avoid them, you will find yourself caught in emergency situation. Will you be prepared to be a heroine?