Background
Medical emergencies or accidents can strike anyone at any time. Road accidents, occupational hazards, cardiac emergencies, stroke, etc are associated with high rates of death and disability globally. In such cases, every second counts in saving the life of the patient. Adequate knowledge and awareness about basic life support skills are vital among the first responders to ensure that individuals can deliver necessary life-saving measures even before the patient reaches the hospital.
If you witness an accident or emergency situation near you then immediately call at 0427-234 6666. Manipal is one of the best hospital for accident & emergency care having the best surgeons working day and night to take care of your health and emergency conditions.
So let us understand some of the basic life skills required in the following medical emergencies
1. Cardiac Emergencies
Heart attack and cardiac arrest are the 2 most common cardiac emergencies.
Heart Attack
When a blood vessel supplying the heart is blocked by plaque or fat deposition, the heart does not get sufficient oxygen to function properly leading to symptoms of chest pain radiating to the jaw, shoulder, arms, back, and stomach, breathlessness, chest heaviness, cold sweats, dizziness, confusion, fatigue. Other symptoms may include numbness or tingling in the arms, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
When such an emergency arises, call for emergency help right away or rush the patient to a nearby hospital with a Cath lab. Meanwhile, make sure the person's breathing way is maintained by making him lie down, rest and relax and loosen tight clothing. If the person has a pre-established heart condition and is on any chest pain medication, administer it right away. If the person becomes unresponsive and unconscious start CPR and uses an automated external defibrillator (AED) if available.
Cardiac Arrest
Cardiac arrest happens when there is an electrical malfunctioning in the heart leading it to stop pumping suddenly. A person can be dead within minutes, without appropriate medical help. The symptoms can start suddenly and may include sudden loss of consciousness, unresponsiveness and failure to breathe or only gasping for breath.
In such cases, call for emergency help without any delay. Check for central pulse and breath. If absent begin chest compression & mouth to mouth respiration. Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if available. This helps to deliver an electric shock to the heart, which destroys abnormal electrical activity in the heart, which destroys abnormal electrical activity in the heart thus allowing the heart to resume its normal pumping action.
How to perform CPR?
Repeat these 3 steps in succession unless help arrives:
1. Compression for restoring blood flow: Make the person lie down on a flat surface and kneel beside him/her. Keeping your elbows straight, place the heel of your hands directly over midline the chest. Start chest compression at the rate of 100-120 compressions per minute using your entire body weight.
2. Open the airway: After 30 compressions, open the person's airways by lifting the chin and tilting the head back.
3. Rescue breathing: This can be done through the mouth-to-mouth/mouth-face mask method. During mouth-to-mouth breathing, clinch the nostrils with fingers to prevent air escape and cover the person’s mouth with yours to make a seal. Give 2 rescue breaths each lasting for one second.
How to use AED?
Turn the machine on and place the two pads on the bare chest of the patient as instructed by the device or shown in the manual. It is important to continue with chest compression until the device tells you to stop. If the device determines a shock is needed, it will ask you to press the shock button to deliver an electric shock. Make sure no one is touching the person before the shock button is pressed. Resume chest compressions immediately after the delivery shock. Follow instructions as given by the device afterwards.
2. Stroke
When blood vessels supplying the brain is blocked due to plaque deposition or when a blood vessel ruptures inside the brain, blood circulation to a specific area in the brain is compromised. This leads to the rapid death of brain cells, a condition known as stroke. Complications may include partial paralysis of the face, arms or one side of the body, slurred speech, extreme weakness, severe headache, loss of balance, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, loss of bladder or bowel control.
Call for medical help right away or take the person to a nearby hospital within 90 minutes of symptoms onset. Make the person lie down side-way with the head slightly raised to prevent aspiration if he/she vomits. Loosen tight clothing and begin CPR if the person stops breathing and where there is no pulse. Cover the person with a blanket to keep him/her warm.
Visit the Manipal Hospital, they provide the best accident and emergency care in Salem and have all the latest equipment and technologies to take care of the patient.
Consultant - Accident & Emergency Care
Manipal Hospital, Salem
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