CPR. Take action

If someone is having a cardiac arrest, react. You could save someone’s life.

If you were to come across someone suffering from a cardiac arrest, would you know what to do? The data reveals that many people suffer from a cardiac arrest (CRA) outside of hospital. Nevertheless, we are still seriously uninformed about what to do until the emergency services arrive.

At Fundación MAPFRE we want to get across this vital message in society. When faced with someone having a cardiac arrest, act. If the vast majority of the public were trained to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation we would avoid countless deaths. Every minute of delay in assisting someone suffering a cardiac arrest counts.

Since 2016 we have taken an active role in the European Cardiac Arrest Awareness Day in order to help society save lives. We want everyone to know how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and not be scared to take action by calling 112 or 061.

Día europeo de concienciación ante la parada cardiaca

CHECK IF THEY ARE RESPONSIVE

Shake them gently by the shoulders and ask aloud: Are you alright? If they respond, leave them in the position in which you found them so long as there is no further risk; get help if necessary. Reassess the situation frequently.

OPEN THE AIRWAYS

If there is no response, position the victim face down. Place one hand on their forehead and the fingers of the other hand under their chin and gently tilt their head back to open the airway.

FEEL THEIR BREATHING

Observe, listen and feel for breath for no more than 10 seconds to determine if they are breathing normally.

CALL THE EMERGENCY NUMBER

If you have any doubt at all as to whether their breathing is normal, call 112 and prepare to administer CPR. If the victim is unconscious but breathing normally, place them in the recovery position and call the emergency services on 112. Reassess the situation frequently.

ASK FOR AN AED

If the victim is not breathing normally, and if possible, send someone to look for and fetch an AED. If you are alone, do not leave the victim and start CPR.

PERFORM CHEST COMPRESSIONS

Kneel to one side of the victim. Place the heel of the hand in the center of their chest (lower central part of the victim’s chest bone or sternum).

Place the heel of the other hand on top of the first one. Keep your arms straight. Position yourself vertically over the victim’s chest and compress the sternum approximately 5 cm (but no more than 6 cm). Repeat with a frequency of 100-120 compressions per minute.

With these simple instructions you can assist somebody suffering from cardiac arrest and overcome the emergency situation you are faced with.