Cardiac massage
Before learning how to massage, it’s important to understand why massage is essential in the event of cardiac arrest.
Why massage?
In cardiac arrest, the heart stops or beats irregularly, and can no longer oxygenate the organs. The aim of cardiac massage is to re-supply the victim’s organs with oxygen – especially the brain, which is at risk of irreversible damage after just a few minutes. That’s why every second counts!
By pressing firmly and evenly on the center of the victim’s chest, you force the heart to pump blood and oxygenate the organs.
Cardiac massage optimizes the chances of survival and reduces long-term sequelae, while waiting for a defibrillator and emergency services to arrive.
How to perform a (good) cardiac massage?
- To begin with, lay the victim on his back on a hard surface.
- Kneel down beside the victim and place her on her bare chest.
- Place your hands one on top of the other. Use the heel of your hand to massage.
- Place them in the middle of the chest, on the sternum.
- With arms outstretched, press down with your whole body to compress the ribcage by 5 to 6 cm.
- After each compression, release the chest. Compression and release must be of equal duration.
- Perform chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute (= 2 times per second).
- Continue until help or a defibrillator arrives.
As you can see, cardiac massage is a technical and tiring procedure.
The Cardio First Angel combines all the essentials for an effective massage – the right hand position, the right placement on the victim, the right pressure and frequency and other qualities. In addition, any other witness present, whether trained in first aid or not, can take over.
For the record, when a defibrillator is used on a victim who has received first aid within the first 5 minutes, there is an improvement in survival rates of almost 50% with no after-effects.
In conclusion, cardiac massage is essential and is the priority action. As long as the defibrillator isn’t there, you have to massage.
Always be prepared, equip yourself with a Cardio First Angel.
