In Singapore, more than 3000 people suffer from sudden cardiac arrests annually, with more than 80% of cases happening outside of healthcare facilities. According to SingHealth, cardiac arrests are responsible for more deaths in Singapore than cancer, stroke or trauma. It is a fatal, yet survivable, condition if one administers initial treatment early and effectively.
Time is of the essence when treating someone suffering from a sudden cardiac arrest. According to the Singapore Heart Foundation, once the heart stops beating and blood flow stops, a person will lose consciousness within 15 seconds. Irreversible damage will be dealt to the brain cells following several minutes of oxygen deprivation.
Without any intervention, your chances of survival against cardiac arrest drop by 7-10% every minute. This is why a victim’s best chance of survival is if a bystander is able to step up and administer prompt first aid through the application of CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a first-aid emergency procedure used to save the life of a person who has gone into sudden cardiac arrest.
According to Mr. Teng Chiun How, Senior Director of the Singapore Heart Foundation, “CPR helps to sustain a life when a heart has stopped. By learning it, you can help to buy time before medical professionals arrive.”
It involves chest compressions that help to circulate oxygenated blood to vital organs around the body, especially the brain. With quality chest compressions of roughly 4-6cm in depth and 100–120 chest compressions per minute, blood can be kept flowing before medical assistance arrives.
If you are squeamish about giving mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing during CPR, the good news is that it is no longer required for you to do so. In fact, an SGH study has proven that high-quality chest compressions without mouth-to-mouth resuscitation have been more effective in saving lives.
Hands-only CPR can be performed by anyone. If you dial 995, SCDF call dispatchers will be able to guide you over the phone on the steps to perform chest compressions.
CPR should be performed on cardiac arrest victims in the event that the victim is no longer breathing or has abnormal breathing. Always call your local emergency number before starting CPR, and they will guide you on what to look out for and the personal safety precautions you should take before starting CPR.
Once you have started CPR on the victim, you should always continue CPR until one of the following events happens:
An AED is a lightweight, portable device that is used to help those suffering from sudden cardiac arrests. The device is capable of analyzing your heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, delivers an electric shock to help your heart re-establish a normal rhythm.
In Singapore, there are over 10,000 publicly accessible AEDs. You can find them in public places such as train stations, bus interchanges and community facilities. They can also be found in HDB lift lobbies. Anyone can use an AED. The device comes with an in-built voice prompt that will provide you with step-by-step instructions to follow. Take note to not use an AED in an area that can compromise safety, such as wet or metallic surfaces or if you are close to flammable gas.
According to Mr. Teng, a CPR+AED course can be completed within 2.5 hours, and it “helps to equip you with the lifesaving skills that allows you to attend to a medical emergency when the time calls for it.”
He adds that ”80% of all cardiac arrest cases happens at home and if you know how to perform CPR+AED effectively, you will be able to provide help to your loved ones in times of emergency,”
You do not need to be trained or certified to perform CPR or use the AED on someone. However, attending a CPR+AED course will give you the confidence to spring into action immediately should an emergency occur.
