Ask anyone about the best way to save an unconscious person’s life and they would probably tell you that you would need to administer CPR. It is the basic belief that CPR is the be-all, end-all when it comes to saving a life that has led to this procedure to be touted as the most important procedure that a responder should know of. In truth, however, many people actually do not have an idea when it comes to making the most of the CPR, much less what CPR is really all about.
CPR, or Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, is often used in cases involving drowning, heart attack and electrocution. Not too long ago, the process of administering CPR involved checking the airway, administering artificial respiration, and doing chest compressions in order get the blood circulating. Today, however, CPR involves, first and foremost, the administration of chest compression before a responder is required to check the airway as well as administer artificial respiration. This is different from how it is done in the past where the Airway has to be checked first before artificial breathing and chest compression are administered. This came about after the American Heart Association (AHA) released in 2010 a new set of guidelines that put more emphasis on the administration of chest compression. With the introduction of these guidelines, bystanders are now encouraged to do their best even if they lack the needed CPR training. The reason behind the changes introduced by the AHA is based on the results of recent studies that showed a marked increase in survival rate if the victim is immediately given CPR. In essence, by administering chest compression as soon as the patient becomes unconscious causes the blood circulation to continue, albeit in an artificial manner, allowing the oxygen in the blood cells to reach major cells and tissues. This, in turn, ensures that major organs in the patient’s body do not suffer from tissue necrosis, or tissue death. One has to understand that tissue necrosis can take place when the cells are unable to get the nutrients they need via the blood cells.
The results of the said study has since led to two types of CPR – the traditional CPR, and the Compression-Only CPR (COCPR). While both are credited with increasing the chances of survival, one still has to take note of the fact that the latter procedure is applicable only to adult patients. If the situation involves children or infant, the traditional method of administering CPR is recommended. Traditional CPR is also recommended when the responder is not a first-hand witness of the victim’s situation. One has to keep in mind that compression0only CPRs tend to work better when the situation involves ventricular fibrillation. Unconsciousness due to other reasons would fare better when dealt with using the traditional approach to CPR.
If you would like to be ready for any kind of medical emergency, you should first learn how to properly do a CPR. Citywide CPR provides CPR training and certification that can help you save lives some day.
