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FIRST AID FOR A CARDIAC ARREST

 

Cardiac arrest is a sudden loss of blood flow resulting from the failure of the heart to pump effectively. Signs include loss of consciousness and abnormal or absent breathing. Some individuals may experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or nausea immediately before entering cardiac arrest1.

Cardiac arrest is an electrical problem, unlike a heart attack. It happens when your heart stops beating or beats so fast that it stops pumping blood. During cardiac arrest, people typically collapse and become unresponsive. Symptoms can start without warning

 

WHAT TO DO

  • Scream for Help – A small team of people can assist in numerous ways. 

If your scream for help doesn’t work, scream FIRE.

  • Check for danger – Power lines, electricals etc.

  • One person to start CPR.

  • One person to call 000.

  • One person to collect the Defib & board.

  • Others to help with CPR – The first person performing the CPR will tire and another person then needs to take over the CPR task.

 

If the unfortunate person is on a bed or soft place, put a board under their chest. 

(Get help to roll the person and put the board under their chest).

 

Start the Defib and follow the instructions – the machine will give instructions.

Help each other and debrief afterwards.

 

Please note that there is no boss.  Everyone helps.  Just do something to assist.  The person with the Defib is not responsible for carrying out the procedure themselves.

 

First person screams for help or calls the 000 or delegates someone else to call 000.

 

Start CPR as soon as possible.  Every second counts.  Heart, brains, liver, kidney etc all begin to die if the blood is not circulating.

 

OBJECTIONS

There may be many people who, possibly due to age, have many excuses as to why they can’t assist.  The reasons may be:

  • I can’t get down on my knees.

  • I’m not strong enough.

  • I’ve forgotten what to do.

 

However, there are numerous tasks to perform during this time.  These are:

  • Phone 000 & collect defibrillator.

  • Call for helpers to do CPR.

  • Keep inquisitive and prying people away (sticky beaks)

  • Direct the ambulance – If you are in a caravan park, you can meet the ambulance at the gate and direct them to the correct site.

 

If there is no-one else around, you would have to try all of the above until help/ambulance arrives

 

Extra tasks that could be performed are:

  • Check the time that the cardiac arrest began.  This is an important fact that could assist the medical team.  Also inform ambulance officers when, where and time CPR began.

  • Provide cushions / blankets or whatever may help in the particular conditions.

  • Keep CPR volunteers coming – lots of them.

  • Reassure everyone – keep calm.

  • Praise the volunteers.

  • Make coffee for them.

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