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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye

Understanding resuscitation

You could save someone's life by applying basic resuscitation skils. Equipped with these, you should be able to maintain a person's breathing and circulation, and this greatly increases Their chances of survival once the emergency services arrive. The key elements of resuscitation are ensuring that oxygen gets into the lungs and that oxygenated blood  gets to the brain. Resuscitation should only be attempted by those who have received proper twining and practice in these techniques.

What is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)?

CPR is the technique of providing basic life support using chest compressions and artificial ventilation. The latter is also called "she kiss of life", mouth-to-mouth resuscitation; or rescue breathing. Although she technique has been used for over 50 years, it was not until the 1970s that the idea of training the public in these skills began.

CPR is needed after a cardiac arrest, that is, when the heart suddenly stops beating and circulation of the blood around the body ceases. A person who has had a cardiac arrest is unresponsive to voice or touch, is not breathing and has no pulse. Since two-thirds of cardiac arrests occur unexpectedly and not in hospitals, it makes sense for members of the public to be able to carry out resuscitation.

After only 3-4 minutes Without oxygen, the brain can suffer Irreversible damage, and this can be fatal, so you should act switly. (There have been some instances of successful resuscitation up to 40 minutes after cardiac arrest when it occurred in cold water, but this is the exception as most incidents occur on dry land.) In most cases, a little knowledge and training can definitely save lives. If CPR is started Within seconds of the cardiac arrest, the victim has a significaady improved chance of surviving.

Normal circulation

Blood flows through the blood vessels in one direction at a fairly constant rate. The heart is at the centre of the circulatory system, pumping blood around the body. The heart pumps blood to the lungs where it absorbs oxygen and gives up the carbon dioxide collected as it travels around the body. The blood then returns to the heart, and the oxygenated blood is sent to all parts of the body including the brain. The brain controls all body functions, including those of the heart and lungs, -and the working of these three organs is closely linked. If any one fails, it does not take long for the other two organs to fail too.

How CPR works

Keeping the casualty's airway open, breathing for them and doing chest compressions means that an oxygenated blood supply continues to reach their brain. This "buys" really valuable time for the casualty by keeping their brain alive until more specialized help is available.