In cardiac arrest, every second counts in saving someone’s life. For this reason, Dubai Health Authority’s Rashid Hospital launched a campaign to raise awareness about the importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
According to the American Heart Association, more than 359,000 people in the US suffer from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year.
The Nursing Education Unit at Rashid Hospital launched the campaign with the aim of raising awareness among the public about CPR and their role when it comes to managing a situation where someone needs CPR.
Educating the public about CPR is important because in cardiac arrest every second counts and so quick CPR before emergency professionals arrive at the scene can double or even triple a victim’s chance of survival. The staff at Rashid Hospital were also targeted by the campaign.
More than 200 visitors and staff members benefited from the campaign that took place at the hospital.
During the campaign the blood pressure and sugar levels of all visitors were tested.
They were also educated about symptoms of stroke and prevention.
Through the campaign, the authority wants to raise awareness that the first thing the public should do when a person stops breathing is to call 999 and the next is to perform hands-only CPR.
Learning this skill is important as many cardiac arrests happen outside a hospital such as at home, work or elsewhere. Furthermore, cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death and hands-only CPR can save people’s lives.
In the US, 40 per cent of 360,000 people who had cardiac arrest received CPR from bystanders. Out of the 40 per cent, 10 per cent survived.
To perform hands-only CPR, the person should continue pushing hard and fast in the centre of the chest 100 to 120 times per minute until help arrives.
