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Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is the most crucial life-saving procedure and helps save at least eighteen per cent of the victims who have suffered sudden cardiac arrest. Mistakes can be made by anyone, even professionals. The thing is, when it comes to life saving procedures such as CPR; one cannot afford to make such mistakes, the reason being that a single mistake made in this event would cost you a life. Now, CPR techniques are given by the American Heart Institute which is the definitive authority for formulating guidelines on CPR and first aid. Changes might be made in these guidelines with changes in the environment and technology. The scene when an arrest occurs is a highly charged and tensed environment. Rescuers are often doing their best to save the victim’s life, but in the process of resuscitation, some mistakes occur including external interference and disturbances which might throw the rescue efforts off course. Here’s a look into the most common mistakes that occur during CPR. Avoid External Interference/Distraction CPR involves focused and detail-oriented efforts. It is highly advisable to request third parties or people who are not contributing or helping in the actual rescue efforts to move away and not hamper any rescue efforts. Focus on the task at hand. If you’re using a mobile app or video assistance in CPR, make sure there’s someone to follow the steps or have someone read out the steps to you - at all stages don’t neglect the victim. Improper Steps of Performing CPR  CPR is a process and a procedure that requires one to typically follow the prescribed the steps in the given order for it to be effective. In this scenario, not following the steps right for example - performing rescue breaths before chest compressions , checking for a pulse instead of continuing with compressions can cause more harm than good. Posture and Correct Depth of Performing Chest Compressions Every set of guidelines asserts that one needs to keep their elbows straight and not bent while giving chest compressions. Giving chest compressions is quite a stressful effort and requires a lot of strength focused in one area - this is why it is pertinent to keep elbows straight (this also allows body weight to focus on one area and improve the pressure on the chest of the victim ). Secondly, a lot of people do not compress hard enough fearing that they might break the victim’s rib cage or too light to keep the heart muscles pumping. The apt depth for chest compressions is about 2 inches or 5 centimeters for adults and half that for infants and younger children. Do not stop compressions till help arrives. Every minute without chest compressions lowers the victim’s chances of survival by ten per cent. Continue with Other Treatments While CPR is a life- saver, it’s main purpose is to ensure that blood is pumped to vital organs to keep them from permanently shutting down. The main focus after help arrives, however, must be to determine what caused the attack and start treatment for that immediately. Don’t Forget to Call for Help No one can keep continuing CPR manually for a long time, it is just something to help keep the patient’s heart beating till he is revived. Make sure someone calls your local emergency number immediately while you are attending to the patient. The sooner help arrives, the better. Don’t be Afraid One of the most important parts of administering CPR is to not be afraid to help the victim. Don’t underestimate the power of helping someone, especially if you are the only one around the victim. Every effort made, counts in CPR. And when it comes to resuscitation, some effort is better than nothing at all. Don’t forget to download a CPR / first -aid app and your local emergency number after reading this handle. You never know when you might need it.
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Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is the most crucial life-saving procedure and helps save at least eighteen per cent of the victims who have suffered sudden cardiac arrest. Mistakes can be made by anyone, even professionals. The thing is, when it comes to life saving procedures such as CPR; one cannot afford to make such mistakes, the reason being that a single mistake made in this event would cost you a life. Now, CPR techniques are given by the American Heart Institute which is the definitive authority for formulating guidelines on CPR and first aid. Changes might be made in these guidelines with changes in the environment and technology. The scene when an arrest occurs is a highly charged and tensed environment. Rescuers are often doing their best to save the victim’s life, but in the process of resuscitation, some mistakes occur including external interference and disturbances which might throw the rescue efforts off course. Here’s a look into the most common mistakes that occur during CPR. Avoid External Interference/Distraction CPR involves focused and detail-oriented efforts. It is highly advisable to request third parties or people who are not contributing or helping in the actual rescue efforts to move away and not hamper any rescue efforts. Focus on the task at hand. If you’re using a mobile app or video assistance in CPR, make sure there’s someone to follow the steps or have someone read out the steps to you - at all stages don’t neglect the victim. Improper Steps of Performing CPR  CPR is a process and a procedure that requires one to typically follow the prescribed the steps in the given order for it to be effective. In this scenario, not following the steps right for example - performing rescue breaths before chest compressions , checking for a pulse instead of continuing with compressions can cause more harm than good. Posture and Correct Depth of Performing Chest Compressions Every set of guidelines asserts that one needs to keep their elbows straight and not bent while giving chest compressions. Giving chest compressions is quite a stressful effort and requires a lot of strength focused in one area - this is why it is pertinent to keep elbows straight (this also allows body weight to focus on one area and improve the pressure on the chest of the victim ). Secondly, a lot of people do not compress hard enough fearing that they might break the victim’s rib cage or too light to keep the heart muscles pumping. The apt depth for chest compressions is about 2 inches or 5 centimeters for adults and half that for infants and younger children. Do not stop compressions till help arrives. Every minute without chest compressions lowers the victim’s chances of survival by ten per cent. Continue with Other Treatments While CPR is a life- saver, it’s main purpose is to ensure that blood is pumped to vital organs to keep them from permanently shutting down. The main focus after help arrives, however, must be to determine what caused the attack and start treatment for that immediately. Don’t Forget to Call for Help No one can keep continuing CPR manually for a long time, it is just something to help keep the patient’s heart beating till he is revived. Make sure someone calls your local emergency number immediately while you are attending to the patient. The sooner help arrives, the better. Don’t be Afraid One of the most important parts of administering CPR is to not be afraid to help the victim. Don’t underestimate the power of helping someone, especially if you are the only one around the victim. Every effort made, counts in CPR. And when it comes to resuscitation, some effort is better than nothing at all. Don’t forget to download a CPR / first -aid app and your local emergency number after reading this handle. You never know when you might need it.
Vlad Magdalin
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