If we find someone who may be suffering heart attack, the first thing to do is ask someone to call the emergency medical service or we must do it ourselves if he is alone. Then we must begin first aid.
If it is possible try to ensure that the affected person takes a seat and try to be as calm as possible. We must also consult him if he has any medicine that his doctor has prescribed for chest pain (such as nitroglycerin) and help him to take it. If he has very tight clothes should loosen it.
If the affected person is unconscious (i.e., not react to stimuli), without breathing and pulseless, and then contact the medical emergency, we must perform Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Some steps of the procedure vary depending on children up to 8 years, or are people from 9 years of age or older.
These are the steps recommended by the American Heart Association:
- Try the person to react gently shaking him or giving gentle claps.
- If no response ask someone to call the emergency. In case you are only calling the emergency, but if it were a child under 8 years it is appropriate not leave him alone before performing CPR for two minutes.
- Lay face up to the affected person very carefully.
- If there is in place an automated external defibrillator or AED, place the paddles on the chest. This device takes at the time of vital signs measurements and calculated necessary discharge applied. Always follow the instructions of the appliance.
- If not available the defibrillator, start CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) maneuver.
How to do chest compressions in children from 1 to 8 years
To do chest compressions in child under 9 years:
- Put the heel of one hand placed on the sternum (it would be just below the nipples) but we should not do at the end of the breastbone to avoid damage.
- Leave the other hand on the child’s forehead, so this allows to support the head tilted back.
- With the hand that is resting on the chest should compress the chest about 1/3 to 1/2 of its depth.
- 30 compressions as above are performed. Each compression should be strong, fast and without pause, but should let the chest rise completely after each compression. These compressions should be quickly and strongly without pause.
How to do chest compressions in children over 9 years and adults
- The basis of a hand where the sternum is lies, this is just between the nipples and the second hand is placed on the first one, bringing our body directly over our hands.
- Apply 30 compressions so strong and quick, so as to press about 5 inches into the chest. Count the 30 compressions quickly.
- Perform breathing by mouth-to-mouth.
If the person or the child does not react or do not recover the breathing after the thirty compressions apply mouth to mouth breathing as follows:
- Lift the chin with one hand and gently push the head back and placing the other hand on the forehead. This will clear the airways.
- Detect for breathing by placing our ear and then our cheek near the nose and mouth, and also observe the presence of movement in the chest.
- If not breathing you must place the mouth firmly on the person and squeeze his nose with your fingers, while keeping his head down and chin up.
- Perform 2 breaths mouth to mouth. Each of a duration of one second, we must check the chest rises.
- If there is no improvement, perform 30 compressions again (as indicated by the age of the person) and then two breaths, repeating the cycle until the arrival of medical help.
Today it is easy to find a place to hold these courses, in many cases free, be sure to do it as you can to be prepared in case of a situation.