The fact is, certain emergencies can hit much closer to home. For instance, a family member or friend’s heart can stop beating, and they can collapse right in front of us. And if we don’t know what to do (or how to do it properly), that loved one will surely die.
It’s true that in an SHTF situation, we likely won’t have access to healthcare conveniences like hospitals and doctors’ offices. However, we still need to be able to give each other their best chance at survival – even when we have these facilities available to us.
The fact is, with one specific first-aid technique, you can significantly increase the likelihood of that friend or family member surviving cardiac arrest. And all it takes is learning…
The #1 First-Aid Technique For Disaster Preparedness
NOTE #1: Remember that the following information is NOT a substitute for proper medical training. However, it is meant to provide a basic overview of first-aid techniques that can be very helpful if someone goes into cardiac arrest.
NOTE #2: Print and Save these notes somewhere so you can use them in a crisis! Also, be sure to watch the video multiple times, and practice on a dummy as necessary in order to be ready if this happens to someone you love.
Hands-Only CPR
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is useful in treating victims suffering from cardiac rest. Cardiac arrest can be fatal, so it’s important to utilize CPR immediately.
CPR is traditionally taught using mouth-to-mouth. However, in 2008 the American Heart Association said that hands-only CPR can be just as effective, and not as…er…intimate.
Not only is this less awkward, but hand-only CPR is also easier to learn. Plus, it’s actually much safer for the victim (a win-win).
Follow These Steps When Performing Hands-Only CPR
- As soon as you think someone has gone into cardiac arrest, dial 911.
- Lay the victim on their back. Tilt their head slightly up, so their airway opens.
- Put your ear close to their mouth and listen for signs of breathing. If you don’t think they’re breathing, CPR is necessary.
- Put your dominant hand over your other hand, wrapping your fingers around each other. Place your hands in the middle of the victim’s chest.
- Keep your shoulders over your hands, and use the weight of your body to push down about 2 inches into their chest. Quickly release the compression, so that both your hands and their chest return to normal. Then repeat the motion. The Red Cross recommends repeating this process at about 100 compressions per minute. If it helps, repeat the compressions along to the beat of the song “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees (this is the speed necessary to help keep the victim alive).
- Keep compressing the victim’s chest until medical professionals arrive.
Need a visual? Watch the video below to see how it’s done.