{"id":127006,"date":"2015-06-22T07:17:45","date_gmt":"2015-06-22T07:17:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/?p=127006"},"modified":"2015-06-22T07:17:45","modified_gmt":"2015-06-22T07:17:45","slug":"health-aid-tip-cpr-can-save-a-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2015\/06\/health-aid-tip-cpr-can-save-a-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Health Aid tip: CPR can save a life"},"content":{"rendered":"

On 17th<\/sup> March, 2012, Bolton Wanderers player Fabrice Muamba died (technically) for 78 minutes; his heart suddenly stopped beating while on the field of play. It took 48 minutes to get to the London Chest Hospital, where he was revived by an emergency response team. The only reason he survived is that in the 48 minutes before he got to the hospital, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed on him by, among others, a fan who had come to watch the game.<\/p>\n

This is a story with a happy ending, because someone knew how to administer CPR. If it were to occur in your house, could you keep him alive for 48 minutes? Yes, at your house. According to the American Heart Association, about 4 out of 5 cases of cardiac arrests occur at home; so, the next person you may need to perform CPR on may be a very close relative. Knowing to perform CPR is a skill that everyone, medical and non-medical, needs to know.<\/p>\n

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique performed on someone whose heart has stopped beating or whose breathing has ceased. Many conditions can result in this situation, including, but no limited to, heart attacks, electrocution, injuries and accidents, drug overdose, choking and near drowning. Sometimes, like in the case of Fabrice Muamba, it can happen spontaneously, for no apparent reason.<\/p>\n

To fully understand and learn how to perform CPR effectively, one has to undertake a training program, and the following is by no means a substitute for that training. This is to provide enough information so that when one is in dire straits, one can do something that may save a life, rather than do nothing and watch someone die.<\/p>\n

The following steps are based on instructions from the American Heart Association, as culled from the U.S National Library of Medicine\u2019s Medline Plus website:<\/p>\n

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  1. Check for responsiveness.<\/strong> Shake or tap the person gently. See if the person moves or makes a noise. Shout, “Are you OK?”<\/li>\n
  2. Call emergency services if there is no response.<\/strong> Shout for help and send someone to call 193.<\/li>\n
  3. Carefully place the person on their back on a firm surface (the floor may be used). If there is a chance the person has a spinal injury, two people should move the person to prevent the head and neck from twisting.<\/li>\n
  4. Perform chest compressions:<\/strong>\n