Timely CPR saved Karthik Surya’s life; how it works

A few days ago, social media influencer Karthik Surya was hospitalised when he fell unconscious after sneezing while eating. Meanwhile, Dr Rijo Mathews, the senior registrar at the emergency department of the VPS Lakeshore Hospital in Kochi, who treated him, said that Karthik Surya had suffered from a condition called Situational Syncope. He added that Karthik’s life was saved by the immediate life-saving measures administered by his wife, Varsha. 

The importance of first aid
The number of people losing their lives because of sudden cardiac arrests has gone up. Giving the patient the Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), the emergency lifesaving technique when someone’s heart stops beating, or they stop breathing, is the best way to save their life. 

Here’s how to do CPR
Lay the person flat on their back on a hard surface. The person performing CPR should kneel beside the patient. Place the palm of one hand in the centre of the chest and put the other hand on top and interlock the fingers. Now, push hard and fast about 100 times per minute. Let the chest fully rise to the original position after each push. Tilt the head back, lift the chin, pinch the nose and add two rescue breaths. You could do CPR without adding the rescue breaths, too. 

When should you do CPR?
Most people are either unaware or confused about when to do CPR. This is why people are reluctant to perform CPR in emergency situations. However, this reluctance might lead to deaths that could have been avoided. CPR must be started as soon as a person falls unconscious or stops breathing. The chance of survival is higher if CPR is given without wasting a second. Meanwhile, others should try to find a defibrillator (a device that corrects heart rhythms by delivering electric shocks) as soon as possible. Defibrillators have been placed in most public places. CPR must be continued until the patient is rushed to the hospital or professional help arrives.