Restart Heart And Save Lives With Hands-Only CPR

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is given to a person in case of cardiac arrest and now, a new form of CPR known as Compression‐Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (COCPR) is reportedly effective in saving lives.

Traditional CPR comprises both cardiac compression and mouth to mouth respiration whereas in COCPR only cardiac compression is given without mouth to mouth breathing. It is reported that 400,000 people in the U.S. die of cardiac arrest every year and about 9,000 of them are children below the age of 18. It is believed that if appropriate CPR training is given to people a number of such deaths could be prevented.

 If a person suffers sudden heart attack the first thing to be done by the rescuer is to call 911. Immediately after making sure the help is arriving, the rescuer should try to resuscitate the victim's heart by repeated compression, reported KSFY.

"Many citizens may not choose to do CPR on a person having cardiac arrest because they're afraid to make a mistake or hurt someone or are uncomfortable performing mouth‐to‐mouth breathing," said Project Director Dr. Barry Ramo, a New Mexico Heart Institute cardiologist, according to Daily Post. "The compression-only CPR is going to change that and change the lives of New Mexicans."

Compression should be given by placing one hand on the center of the chest while placing the other hand above it. Chest should be pressed rapidly in such a way that the person receives 100 compressions a minute. Every compression should be two inches deep and one can give as much pressure as possible. The experts note that there is no need to panic while giving pressure as injuring organs doesn't matter much than death.

New Mexico Heart Institute's 6th annual Project Heart Start event which is to be held on Saturday, 25 June 2016 is aimed at giving COCPR training to people in Los Alamos.

"At the event, attendees will learn simple life-saving techniques by watching a video. Then, volunteer facilitators will work with small groups and use manikins to teach proper chest compression, how to recognize the signs of a heart attack, how to use an automated external defibrillator and how to save someone who is choking," noted Daily Post.

The Mobile CPR Project is accepting community requests for training: https://phillycpr.wpengine.com.

cgilman@phillynews.com215-854-5502