Imagine you’re at work, going about your day, when suddenly you hear a loud thud. You turn around to see your colleague lying on the floor, unresponsive. What do you do? This scenario may seem unlikely, but the truth is that medical emergencies can happen at any time, even in the workplace. That’s where cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, comes in. And employees in the corporate world must take a first aid CPR training course from accredited centres and expert teams. This life-saving technique helps keep oxygenated blood flowing to the various organs when the heart stops beating. In this article, you can explore the science behind it and how it works to save lives in the workplace.
The Science Behind CPR
CPR manually pumps blood throughout the body when the heart cannot do so alone. The chest compressions used in CPR help push blood through the circulatory system, while the rescue breaths provide oxygen to the lungs and keep the person’s blood oxygenated. It is essential because when the heart stops beating, the brain and other organs begin to lose oxygen and nutrients, which can lead to irreversible damage or death. It prevents damage and increases the person’s chances of survival.
Its effectiveness in saving lives depends on several factors, including the promptness and effectiveness of the chest compressions, the provision of rescue breaths, and the presence of an AED (automated external defibrillator) device. AEDs are portable devices that can shock the heart back into a normal rhythm in people experiencing cardiac arrest. They analyse the person’s heart rhythm and deliver a shock if needed. The shock helps reset the heart’s electrical activity and allows it to begin beating normally again.
How Does it Work?
It can help keep blood flowing to the brain and other organs when performed correctly until emergency medical services arrive to provide more advanced medical care.
The first step is to assess the situation and determine whether the person is responsive. The rescuer should check for breathing and a pulse if the person is unresponsive. CPR should be started immediately if the person doesn’t have a pulse or is not breathing.
The basic steps involve checking the person’s airway, breathing, and circulation. Then, the rescuer places the heel of one hand on the chest’s centre, between the nipples, and the other on top of the first hand, interlacing their fingers. The rescuer then pushes down on the person’s chest, using their body weight to compress it about two inches deep at 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
After 30 compressions, the rescuer should open the person’s airway and give two breaths by tilting their head back, lifting their chin, pinching their nose shut, and blowing two breaths into their mouth. If the person’s chest does not rise with the breaths, the rescuer should reposition the person’s head and try again. Two breaths follow the cycle of 30 compressions. It should continue until emergency medical services arrive or until the person begins breathing.
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Conclusion
CPR is a life-saving technique used in various settings, including the workplace. And looking for a first aid CPR training course from accredited centres is essential. In addition, having employees trained in CPR can make all the difference in providing quick and effective care to an individual in need. Employers can help promote its use in the workplace by providing training, implementing policies and procedures for responding to medical emergencies, and promoting the importance of CPR and AED use. By taking these steps, employers can help ensure their employees are equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to respond to medical emergencies and save lives.
