Emergency guide to saving a patient who has been electrocuted

Emergency guide to saving a patient who has been electrocuted

The maximum deaths due to electric shocks are noted in the monsoon season

New Delhi, July 29, 2015: The Monsoon season is welcomed in our country due to the respite it brings to the dreaded Delhi summer heat. However what people need to be cautious about while enjoying the rains is the high risk of electrocution. With the technological advancement of the 21^st century, electronic equipment surrounds us. During the monsoon season it is very important to ensure that every individual takes adequate precautionary measures to avoid electrocution and is aware of how to help a victim in case of an emergency.

Heart Care Foundation of India jointly with the Indian Medical Association, Delhi Red Cross Society and Delhi Police has taken up the challenge of training 100% of the Delhi Police PCR van staff on the life-saving technique of hands only CPR 10 by Independence Day 2015. In today’s training session, a special focus was laid on how to help and revive electrocution patients in the monsoon.

Addressing the PCR van staff, Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India and Honorary Secretary General IMA said, “Electrocution is extremely common in the monsoon months due to carelessness on part of the public. They are not aware of or do not take seriously simple rules that one must not touch any electrical switch or gadget barefoot or with wet hands. The Delhi police are the first to reach such an emergency situation and can help revive the patient by the simple and effective technique of hands only CPR 10. When approaching an electrocution victim the first instinct is to go and pull him or her out. However this can be extremely dangerous since electricity can get passed on from one person to another putting both the people at risk. What one must do instead is first switch off the electric current from the source. Then separate the victim using a non-conducting material such as wood, glass, plastic and paper. Then lay the victim on the floor and check if he is breathing. If not, begin the process of hands only CPR 10 immediately.”

Adding to this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr A Marthanda Pillai National President IMA said, “CPR, is a technique that involves chest compressions without artificial respiration to help save the life of a victim who has collapsed due to a sudden cardiac arrest. It must only be performed on a person who has no pulse rate and is not breathing. Chest compressions must be stopped only when the person starts breathing again or an ambulance arrives. If administered immediately, Hands only CPR can double a person's chances of survival”.

A sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the electrical conducting system of the heart fails and the heartbeats irregularly and very fast (more than 1000 times, technically called as ventricular fibrillation). Soon after the heart suddenly stops beating and the blood flow to the brain stops. As a result, the person becomes unconscious and stops normal breathing. A cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack, but it may be caused by a heart attack. In most cases, sudden cardiac arrest may be reversible in the first 10 minutes. This is possible because the brain remains alive during this period when the heart and respiration have stopped, a situation called clinical death. To know more or to organize a training camp in your locality, please call the NGO’s helpline number 9958771177.

IMA doctors observed 1 minute silence on the sudden demise of Dr APJ Kalam

IMA doctors observed 1 minute silence on the sudden demise of Dr APJ Kalam

All members of IMA observed a minute of silence at 12 noon today on the sudden demise of Former President of India and Bharat Ratna Awardee, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

In their condolence message, Padma Shri Awardee Dr A Marthanda Pillai, National President, Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, Hony Secretary General, IMA in a joint statement said that the best tribute that can be paid to Late Dr Abdul Kalam is to make it mandatory for all public places and public functions to be equipped with Automated External Defibrillators (AED).

Currently, Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) jointly with IMA and Delhi ed Cross Society is engaged in training the staff of PCR vans in basic hands-on CPR 10, with the aim of training 100% staff of PCR vans in this lifesaving technique.

Dr Aggarwal said that in all public places and public functions all the staff deployed must know the techniques of basic CPR.

A witnessed cardiac arrest is different from unwitnessed cardiac arrest. Chances of survival are much higher in a witnessed cardiac arrest, if basic hands-only CPR is done by the bystanders immediately at the very onset of cardiac arrest. Chances of survival further increase, if electric shock is also given by using AED machines.

In India, deaths from sudden cardiac arrest are more in number than combined deaths from diabetes, road traffic accidents and dementia.

HCFI and IMA have jointly written to the Hon’ble President of India and Hon’ble Prime Minister with a copy to the Hon’ble Health Minister and Hon’ble Law Minister to enact a law in India on the lines of laws in the United States making it mandatory to train people in “Hands-only CPR” and installing AEDs in public places and public functions.

Dr. Aggarwal also said that India needs Good Samaritan laws, which allow lay persons to learn and perform hands-only CPR and use AED machines to prevent sudden deaths due to cardiac arrest like what happened in Shillong. All over the world, under Good Samaritan law, limited immunity is provided to lay persons while resuscitating any case of witnessed or unwitnessed cardiac arrest. In US, the law is called “Community Access to Emergency Devices Act”. 

In addition to making AEDs handy in public places, IMA also recommends conventional defibrillators in every healthcare setting.

In the US, it is compulsory to deploy an AED device in all commercial malls, airports, railway stations, casinos, religious places, cinema halls etc. in addition to all medical settings.

5,000 Police PCR Van Staff trained in CPR 10

5,000 Police PCR Van Staff trained in CPR 10

The Heart Care Foundation of India and Indian Medical Association (IMA) together have up to now trained 5,000 police personnel posted in PCR vans in hands-only CPR 10.

The training is being personally conducted by Padma Shri Awardee, Dr K K Aggarwal, President, Heart Care Foundation of India and Honorary Secretary General, IMA.

“Our aim is to train 100% of the PCR Staff in this lifesaving technique,” said Dr Aggarwal.

Also known as Bystander CPR or First Responder CPR, CPR 10 requires only two steps. If you come across a victim of sudden cardiac arrest, first, call helpline number 102 and second, start compressing the centre of the chest of the victim with a speed of 100 per minute. Chest compression should be done continuously and without interruption until medical help arrives or the patient is revived.

No mouth to mouth respiration is required in this technique.

The most important step is compressing the chest by at least 2 inches so as to empty the heart by external pressure and maintain flow of oxygenated blood to the brain.

CPR is effective in cases of electric shock deaths, cardiac arrest due to excitement, heart attack or any other sudden cardiac death.

Today is world hepatitis day

Today is World Hepatitis Day

To mark the World Hepatitis Day falling today, Dr Aggarwal said that hepatitis can be caused by drugs, toxins, alcohol, some disease conditions like nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) etc., but, by far the most common cause is viral infection with the hepatitis viruses. There are five different hepatitis viruses, but the most common types are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C viruses.

Hepatitis A is transmitted by consuming food or water that has been contaminated with the virus, while hepatitis B and hepatitis C are spread via transfusion of blood and/or blood products, unsafe sex, unsafe injections and/or tattooing.

The theme for the World Hepatitis Day this year is ‘Prevention of viral hepatitis’.

Viral hepatitis can be prevented. Increased awareness amongst the public and better access to treatment are key to controlling and preventing viral hepatitis, added Dr KK Aggarwal.

Following tips on prevention were also released on the occasion.

·         Wash hands well with soap and water before and after eating food, after defecation and after touching blood or other body fluids.

·         Boiled water is safest to drink.

·         Avoid eating unwashed raw food including vegetables and peeled and cut fruits sold on roadside.

·         Practice safe sex.

·         Avoid sharing personal items such as toothbrush, razors, nail cutters etc.

·         Avoid sharing needles or syringes.

·         Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, especially children and high risk adults.

Over 500 family physicians across the country deliberate in ICON 2015

Over 500 family physicians across the country deliberate in ICON 2015

Inaugurating ICON 2015, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr A Marthanda Pillai, National President, Indian Medical Association (IMA) said, “Family Physicians are the backbone of the society. The recent proposal of the Government to increase the number of medical postgraduate seats and making them equal to MBBS seats will only harm the society in the long run. We need more family physicians, not specialists. If the Govt. wants to increase the number of postgraduate seats, they should do so in the field of Family Medicine.”

Addressing the gathering Padma Shri Awardee, Dr K K Aggarwal, Honorary Secretary General, IMA said, “IMA is in process of coming out with guidelines regarding a family practitioner relationship with a family.” General practitioners should adopt families and provide them comprehensive care, he further added.

Delivering the Dr Ketan Desai Oration, Dr S Arulrhaj, Chief Patron, IMA College of General Practitioners (IMACGP) said that a specialist consultation is not required for more than 90% of the illnesses. A family physician is able to take care of the same.

In a joint statement Dr E Prabhavathy, Dean, IMACGP and Dr V K Monga, Dean-Elect, IMACGP said that small medical establishments owned by IMA members should provide cost-effective treatment and care to the society.

Dr Sharad Agarwal, President, UP State Branch, Dr A Raja Rajeshwar, Honorary Secretary, IMACGP and Dr BB Wadhwa, Organizing Secretary, ICON 2015 said that the duty of a family physician is not only to treat patients, but also to refer them in time to an appropriate center, if required. A Family physician should also be able to guide his/her patients about hospitals where free and subsidized treatments are available, if they cannot afford the treatment.

Dr Preethi Wijegoonewardene from Sri Lanka and Dr Raman Kumar, President, Academy of Family Physicians of India (AFPI) also delivered orations.

Dr Viveka Kumar, Cardiologist who delivered the Dr NK Grover Oration and Dr Rajneesh Malhotra, who delivered the Dr BC Chhaparwal Oration, in a joint statement said that the public must know that India is second to none as far as tertiary cardiac care is concerned. Today, most private cardiac hospitals in India are saving millions of dollars as state of art cardiology services are available in the country at one-fifth of the cost.

In her talk, Dr E Prabhavathy, Dean, IMACGP highlighted the importance of diet control and exercise for young girls with polycystic ovarian syndrome before subjecting them to drug treatment.

In every public place and public function people should know compression only CPR

In every public place and public function people should know compression only CPR

If a sole lay rescuer is present or multiple lay rescuers are reluctant to perform mouth-to-mouth breathing, Heart are Foundation of India encourage the performance of CPR -10 using excellent chest compressions alone.

Lay rescuers should not interrupt excellent chest compressions to palpate for pulses or check for the return of spontaneous circulation, and should continue CPR-10 until an electric shock machine is ready to defibrillate, medical help arrives or the patient wakes up.

Addressing the gathering of 274 police men at the IMA today Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal - President of Heart Care Foundation of India and Honorary Secretary General of IMA said that, untrained youngsters should perform compression-only CPR. From 11 years of age, they can effectively perform dispatcher-directed CPR by compressing the chest at an appropriate rate and depth. However, the technique benefits from formal training.

Chief Guest of the function Gajender Solanki Noted Kavi said that " in every public function there should be people who know compression only CPR.

Heart Care Foundation of India, Indian Medical Association Delhi Red Cross Society and Delhi police jointly are training all PCR van staff in this life saving technique.

Police were told to remember two number. Firstly 100: in emergency call 100 and start compressing the chest with a speed of 100 per minute AND the number 10, within ten minutes of death and for the next ten minutes compress the chest of the individual. CPR 10 is not given if a person is breathing.

Dr V K Monga former chairman health committee MCD also spoke on the occasion.'

Indian Medical Association goes Digital

Indian Medical Association goes Digital

Taking inspiration for the Prime Minister’s Digital India initiative, IMA aims to soon become a paperless organization

New Delhi, July 22 2015: Technological advancements have helped bridge distances in our vast country and have made possible, seamless communication between people based in different cities. Keeping in line with the dynamics of the changing world, the Indian Medical Association, the only representative voluntary organization of doctors of the modern scientific system of medicine has decided to go digital. IMA aims to amplify its messages to both its 2.5-lakh doctor members and to the public at large through the digital medium.

Addressing the press, Padma Shri Awardee Dr. (Prof.) M. Marthanda Pillai, National President and Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal, Hon. Secretary General, IMA in a joint statement said, “IMA is in the process of becoming a paperless Association. It has been our constant endeavor to make the medical profession more transparent and effective along with raising large-scale public health awareness about matters of National importance. We echo our Prime Minister’s belief in the potential of a Digital India and will be using this as a medium to communicate with both doctors and the public.”

IMA has already created a digital group called Team IMA, which will make daily communication between over 2500 Central Council Members possible. Since the beginning of this year, over 2 lakh doctor members of the IMA are being sent daily updates on the organization and key health matters through the medium of text messages and emails.  

To make IMA’s functioning more effective, the association has also tied up with M/s Presto and BSNL communication to make regular Video CME’s possible across 23 different locations in the country.

The IMA headquarters in New Delhi have been equipped with a video conferencing facility where family physicians can communicate with each other.

IMA will also be launching a first of its kind Tele Medicine Rural Health Consultation service on 16^th August, 2015 where the IMA Dhule  Branch will connect with the IMA headquarters through video conferencing .

A health education weekly programme from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. every Thursday will also be started by the Association which will allow doctors to interact with Dr Marthanda Pilli and Dr KK Aggarwal, through a live webcast on the IMA website on issues of common interest for doctors and patients and healthcare facilitators.

Recently the IMA has also started an online TB notification facility for doctors as well as a a rare blood group directory for people in need of emergencies.

As next steps, IMA will be rolling out a website on organ donation where every doctor will be able to pledge to donate their organs. 

First of its kind e-meet on Tuberculosis held between 1000 IMA doctors from across 28 of its State branches and the Association leadership

First of its kind e-meet on Tuberculosis held between 1000 IMA doctors from across 28 of its State branches and the Association leadership

The interactive webcast was an initiative under IMA Digital, a program in line with the Prime Minister’s Digital India initaitve

New Delhi, July 23 2015: Bridging the vast geographical gap that exists in our country, the Indian Medical Association has launched several digital initiatives aimed at more efficient implementation of its programs. As a part of this, a first of its kind e-meet was held between 2-3pm today which connected over 100 doctor members of IMA from across States with the leadership on the subject, “Why notifying tuberculosis cases was important”.  The overall aim of the Indian Medical Association is to use the digital medium to amplify important healthcare messages to both its 2.5-lakh doctor members and to the public at large.

Interacting with over 1000 IMA doctors from across the country, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr A Marthanda Pilliai, National President, IMA and Padma Shri Awardee, Dr KK Aggarwal, Honorary Secretary General, IMA in a joint statement said, “In May, 2012 the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare declared Tuberculosis as a notifiable disease. Most Municipal Corporation Acts also include Tuberculosis under the section of dangerous diseases, which mandate reporting. The Medical Council of India in its ethics for doctors clearly states under regulations 5.2 and 7.14 that it is mandatory for all practicing doctors of modern medicine to notify communicable diseases, which includes Tuberculosis. It further states that once Tuberculosis is notifiable disease as per the IMA guidelines, there is no question of confidentiality or privacy.”

There are provisions of Negligent Act likely to spread infection under Indian Penal Code Section 269-270. Section 270 specially applicable to MDR Tuberculosis. If spread of Tuberculosis is allowed to continue  in the society by not taking treatment or not advising treatment it may amount to legal provisions.

The IMA further said that each person who gets exposed to a patient suffering from Tuberculosis must traced and treated. One undetected Tuberculosis patient can spread the disease to 20 additional people on an average and can continue to do so for up to 2-3 years. 10-14% of the total cases where the patient receives only half the treatment can take more serious forms and develop into MDR TB. MDR Tuberculosis is highly contagious and can cause the infection to spread to healthy people at a rapid speed.

In addition to the e-meet, IMA has already created a digital group called Team IMA, which will make daily communication between over over 2000 Central Council Members possible. Since the beginning of this year, over 2 lakh doctor members of the IMA are being sent daily updates on the organization and key health matters through the medium of text messages and emails.

IMA will also be launching a first of its kind Tele Medicine Rural Health Consultation service on 16th August, 2015 where the IMA Dhule Branch will connect with the IMA headquarters through video conferencing.

Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation not essential for saving a sudden cardiac arrest victim

Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation not essential for saving a sudden cardiac arrest victim 

Hands only CPR is an effective and easy to learn life-saving technique and it can help revive sudden cardiac arrest patients if administered within the first ten minutes of their death

Sudden cardiac arrest is the number one killer in India taking an estimated 25 lakhs lives annually. According to the data revealed by the Delhi Economical Survey, 150 to 250 deaths happen in the city every single day. Out of these 25 – 45 deaths occur suddenly. With 60% of the people dying before they reach the hospital and the large number of sudden cardiac arrest victims; it is essential that each one of us must know the essential life-saving technique of hands only CPR – 10. A simple and easy to learn technique, Hands only CPR 10 does not require any mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and can be performed by anyone.

Heart Care Foundation of India, a non-profit organization working towards raising health awareness in the country has been training people in this life-saving technique for over two years now. It has successfully trained over 1,20,000 people till now in Delhi NCR itself and holds three Limca Book of World Records for the maximum number of people trained at a time, at the same place and in an hour. The NGO has now joined hands with the Indian Medical Association, Delhi Red Cross Society and Delhi Police to train 100% of the Delhi Police PCR van staff on the life-saving technique of hands only CPR 10 by Independence Day 2015. Given the shortage of ambulances in the city and the Delhi Police PCR vans being the first to reach an emergency site, with this training they will now be able to try to revive a sudden cardiac arrest patient till the ambulance arrives.

Addressing the gathering of 269 police men at the IMA today Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal - President of Heart Care Foundation of India and Honorary Secretary General of IMA said that, “The hands only CPR 10 mantra is extremely simple to remember and can help save a person’s life. It does not require mouth-to-mouth breathing unless the victim has died due to drowning or is a small child. What each of us need to remember is that within 10 minutes of death (earlier the better), for a minimum of 10 minutes (the longer the better), compress the center of the chest of the deceased person continuously and effectively with a speed of 10×10 = 100 per minute. Chest compression should be stopped only when the person starts breathing or the ambulance arrives.”

Adding to this, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr A Marthanda Pillai,National President, IMA, said,  “The first few minutes of death of a sudden cardiac arrest victim are crucial since the more time that passes, the lesser the chances of their revival through CPR. One must not waste any time and start chest compressions immediately if the victim has no pulse and is not breathing.”

A sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the electrical conducting system of the heart fails and the heartbeats irregularly and very fast (more than 1000 times, technically called as ventricular fibrillation). Soon after the heart suddenly stops beating and the blood flow to the brain stops. As a result, the person becomes unconscious and stops normal breathing. A cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack, but it may be caused by a heart attack. In most cases, sudden cardiac arrest may be reversible in the first 10 minutes. This is possible because the brain remains alive during this period when the heart and respiration have stopped, a situation called clinical death.

Adding to this, Dr Harish Grover, Dr JC Sobti, Dr Vinay Aggarwal, Dr Dharam Prakash, Dr S N Mishra, Dr D R Rai, Dr R N Tandon and Dr Narendra Saini in a joint statement said, “Hands only CPR is a miracle technique for sudden cardiac arrest victims. The initiative to train each and every Delhi Police PCR van staff is a noble one and can help save hundreds of lives. One must remember that it is important to act quickly for every minute lost reduces the chances of revival by 10%. So, if you wait 5 minutes, the chances of surviving are 50% less. The earlier you give CPR to a person in cardiac arrest, the greater the chance of a successful resuscitation”.

To know more or to organize a training camp in your locality, please call the NGO’s helpline number 9958771177

Come Independence Day, and the Delhi Police PCR van staff will be able to assist sudden cardiac arrest patients in an emergency situation

Come Independence Day, and the Delhi Police PCR van staff will be able to assist sudden cardiac arrest patients in an emergency situation

Heart Care Foundation of India, IMA, Delhi Police and Delhi Red Cross society has taken up the initiative to train 100% of the PCR van staff in the life-saving technique of Hands Only CPR 10

New Delhi, July 16, 2015: Heart Care Foundation of India jointly with the Indian Medical Association, Delhi Red Cross Society and Delhi Police has taken up the challenge of training 100% of the Delhi Police PCR van staff on the life-saving technique of hands only CPR 10 by Independence Day 2015. With over 250 police personnel being trained on a daily basis and over 2500 having being trained so far, the task of training each and every of the 8000 Delhi Police PCR van staff by August 15, 2015 seems realistic and success will be met.

Addressing the gathering of over 250 police men at the IMA today Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal - President of Heart Care Foundation of India and Honorary Secretary General of IMA said that, “In an emergency situation Hands Only CPR 10 can be used effectively through a few easy to remember steps. First and foremost one must call an ambulance or nearest medical help. Then you can also dial 100 to request the nearest Delhi Police PCR van to reach you and assist with hands only CPR. And most importantly without wasting any time, you must start compressing the center of the chest of the victim at a speed of 10 x 10 - 100 per minute. You must continue the chest compressions till medical help arrives or the person gets revived. Each person must remember that CPR must only be performed on a person whose heart has stopped working and is not breathing.”

Adding to this, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr A Marthanda Pilliai, National President, IMA, said,  “The Government must make it mandatory for all public places to have automatic electric shock machines to save maximum lives of people who suffer from a sudden cardiac arrest. Death for such patients is reversible if awareness is raised and the right life-saving technique is used.”

Urging people to learn Hands Only CPR 10, renowned wrestling coach and former wrestler Padma Bhushan Awardee Guru Satpal Singh said, “Hands Only CPR 10 is an extremely simple to learn but an essential and extremely important technique which can help save the lives of near and dear ones. I urge everyone to learn it and spread awareness about this new initiative where the Delhi Police can be contacted not just in case of a theft or robbery but even a medical emergency such as a cardiac arrest.  They are the closest to your homes and will be the fastest to reach. "

Mr Ranvir Singh IPS Add Commissioner of Police Operation said " Dial for an ambulance or the nearest medical or dial 100 for assistance and start compressing the center of the chest at a speed of 100 per minute and help save a life”.

A sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the electrical conducting system of the heart fails and the heartbeats irregularly and very fast (more than 1000 times, technically called as ventricular fibrillation). Soon after the heart suddenly stops beating and the blood flow to the brain stops. As a result, the person becomes unconscious and stops normal breathing. A cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack, but it may be caused by a heart attack. In most cases, sudden cardiac arrest may be reversible in the first 10 minutes. This is possible because the brain remains alive during this period when the heart and respiration have stopped, a situation called clinical death. 

It is important to act quickly for every minute lost reduces the chances of revival by 10%. So, if you wait 5 minutes, the chances of surviving are 50% less. The earlier you give CPR to a person in cardiac arrest, the greater the chance of a successful resuscitation. To know more or to organize a training camp in your locality, please call the NGO’s helpline number 9958771177.

CPR 10 TRAINING TO DELHI POLICE PCR FORCE

CPR 10 TRAINING  TO DELHI POLICE PCR FORCE

Dr K K Aggarwal and Dr R P Vashisht

BACKGROUND and RATIONALE

Sudden cardiac arrest is the number one killer in India taking a toll of 25lakhs persons annually. As per  Delhi Economical Survey “150 to 250 deaths take place every day  out of which 25-45 deaths occur suddenly.”

Over 60% of victims are dying before they reach the hospital. 40 percent of these having cardiac arrest can be revived by a simple technique performed by any person.

The technique is called   Hand only Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or CPR10 (othr names Compression Only CPR, Bystander CPR, first responder CPR).

This technique works amazingly on people dying due to Choking, Heart attack, Electrocution, Chest Blunt Trauma, Sudden emotional burst cardiac arrest  Exposure to  cold temperatures etc.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a first aid technique to help people who suffer  “cardiac arrest” (their heart stops beating). Clinically the person will not respond to painful stimuli and will not be breathing. It si not for an unconscious person.

The CPR 10  training  can be imparted  to any person. The technique is simple and involves only hands on compression i.e. within 10 minutes of death  (earlier the better) for the next at least 10 minutes (longer the better), compress the centre of the chest of the deceased person at least by 1-2 inches at least  with a speed of  10X10 per minutes (100 to 125 per minute). till the medical help arrives

The HCFI  has created  mantra  “Marne kedus minute ke under kam se kamdus minute tak 10×10=100 per minute ki speed se apni chhati peetne ke badle mare hue aadmi ki chhati peeto”.

This technique is approved by Heart Care Foundation of India, Indian Medical Association, Indian Red Cross Society, St John Ambulance Delhi , American Heart Association and  American College of Cardiology and many more .   

The scientific rationale of CPR 10 is that due to heart stoppage (arrest), the blood circulation ceases. In theory, there is unused Oxygen on the arterial side of the system. If adequate circulation is created via compressions, perfusion of oxygen to key organs may be achieved faster.

When the compression is done on the chest of the victim, with the body of the victim, on a hard surface, the heart gets compressed and that starts the activity on the stopped heart. It is similar to kicking a stopped scooter and starting the engine without the keys. Till the brain is alive, and heart can be started, the person can be brought back to life.

The American Heart Association (AHA) in an Advisory Statement of March, 2008 recommends hands-only CPR in circumstances when a non-medic bystander   sees a suddenly collapsed adult then he or she should call ambulance service  and provide chest compressions by pushing hard and fast at the rate of 100 per minute in the center of the chest keeping  Interruptions  to a minimum until trained rescuer/s arrive.

CPR 10 or Hands only CPR is not a difficult skill to master. The CPR 10 or Hands only CPR is still beneficial even if it is done imperfectly, one can maximize his chances of helping someone by undergoing a Regular First Aid & CPR Training Course. Even if you break the ribs while doing CPR10, its ok as one life is saved. Ribs can be taken care of by the doctors. Ribs may get broken even in the hands of trained doctors.

90% of the people can be revived if the CPR 10 is attempted  in the first minute of cardiac arrest.  The percentage of revival goes down with each passing minute and beyond ten minutes, the percentage becomes minimal.

Mouth to mouth breathing is not done in hands only CPR. That may however be required for cases of near drowning or children. In that case chest compression is followed with opening the airways and rescue mouth to mouth breathing.

As on today , it seems improbable that CATS / Delhi Health System may reach the victims in the first few crucial minutes. The PCR van is only facility in the city  reaching  the victim within five minutes; and almost before the ambulance. Therefore Delhi Police has taken the initiative to get   the PCR Force trained cent percent in Hands only CPR or CPR10 in partnership with the Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) , Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) Delhi at no cost to the Delhi Police. Delhi Police believes that Even if one person is saved a day from cardiac death by PCR Force, this is a great human service to the community.

TRAINING  METHODOLIGY :

The PCR Force will come daily seven days a week to IMA Building at ITO in a batch of 200-300 people. The training will be imparted by Dr K KAggarwal  Hon. Secretary General IMA & President HCFI  assisted  by Dr R P Vashist Hon. Secretary IRCS Delhi .

The training session will last  30 to 45 minutes.  Every person will get one to one training opportunity on individual manikin. The target is to  achieve cent percent coverage on or before August 14, 2015.

The trained personnel will be given certificates dully certified by the partnership. These certificates have value addition to the individual holders. The cost of certificates will be borne by Delhi Police. In addition, a monthly training session    will continue for the follow up.  The partnership ( the DP, the HCFI, the IMA, the IRCS) will bring out a mobile phone  App on the technique which will also act as a supplementary training tool and a refresher guide to the already  trained force. The cost of  the development of the App can be decided on mutual consultation.

Delhi Police PCR van staff trained on tackling special cases while reviving a sudden cardiac arrest patient through the technique of hands only CPR 10

Delhi Police PCR van staff trained on tackling special cases while reviving a sudden cardiac arrest patient through the technique of hands only CPR 10

Emphasis laid on how patients suffering from hypothermia or low body temperature may need to be administered hands only CPR for over an hour to successfully revive them

New Delhi, July 16, 2015: Heart Care Foundation of India jointly with the Indian Medical Association, Delhi Red Cross Society and Delhi Police has taken up the challenge of training 100% of the Delhi Police PCR van staff on the life-saving technique of hands only CPR 10 by Independence Day 2015.

Addressing the gathering of 283 police men at the IMA today Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal - President of Heart Care Foundation of India and Honorary Secretary General of IMA said that administering Hands Only CPR 10 within the first minute of death due to a sudden cardiac arrest can save the life of 90% of the patients. People must be patient and not stop chest compressions till the person is not revived. Patients who suffer from hypothermia or have a body temperature less than 35^oC can take over hours to get revived since only when their body temperature comes back to normal will the CPR be effective.”

There are instances in ancient literature where a newborn with hypothermia was declared dead but revived in the cremation ground when the environment heat brought his temperature to normal and the pressure on the chest had effects similar to a cardiac massage.

Adding to this, Dr. KK Aggarwal said that “The mantra to remember is: Within 10 minutes of death (earlier the better), for a minimum of 10 minutes (longer the better), compress the center of the chest of the deceased person continuously and effectively with a speed of 10×10 = 100 per minute”

Talking about the initiative, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr A Marthanda Pilliai, National President, IMA, said, “Hands only CPR is an extremely successful method of saving lives of people who have suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. A person does not need to be a medical practitioner or a certified trainer to perform it. Any person who knows the right technique can save a life through this method. Given that a PCR van is the first to reach any emergency situation, they can play a crucial role in helping provide emergency care. It is indeed makes us proud to say that together we will make Delhi the first city where each and every PCR van staff will be trained in this lifesaving technique and the public can dial 100 in case of an emergency. Exceptional cases will always be there. One must not lose hope and continue performing chest compressions till the ambulance reaches.”

A sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the electrical conducting system of the heart fails and the heart beats irregularly and very fast (more than 1000 times, technically called as ventricular fibrillation). Soon after the heart suddenly stops beating and the blood flow to the brain stops. As a result, the person becomes unconscious and stops normal breathing. A cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack, but it may be caused by a heart attack. In most cases, sudden cardiac arrest may be reversible in the first 10 minutes. This is possible because the brain remains alive during this period when the heart and respiration have stopped, a situation called clinical death. 

It is important to act quickly for every minute lost reduces the chances of revival by 10%. So, if you wait 5 minutes, the chances of surviving are 50% less. The earlier you give CPR to a person in cardiac arrest, the greater the chance of a successful resuscitation. To know more or to organize a training camp in your locality, please call the NGO’s helpline number 9958771177.

In cardiac arrest, do not wait for doctor to arrive

In cardiac arrest, do not wait for doctor to arrive

When someone suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, most people waste time waiting for the doctor to arrive.

Cardiac arrest is a condition when the heart has stopped functioning, but the brain is still alive.

In this situation, every minute matters. With each passing minute, the chances of revival reduce by 10%. “If the revival process is started within one minute of sudden death, the chances of revival are 90%” said Padma Shri Awardee, Dr K K Aggarwal, President, Heart Care Foundation of India and Honorary Secretary General, Indian Medical Association (IMA). He was conducting a training workshop on CPR for Delhi PCR Van Staff.

The workshop is being conducted by Heart Care Foundation of India jointly with Indian Medical Association, Delhi Red Cross Society and Delhi Police with an aim of training 100 percent of PCR Staff by 14th August.

Dr K K Aggarwal said “Every second counts. If you find no evidence of breathing, make the person lie down flat on his back on a hard surface and compress the centre of the chest with your hands by 1 to 2 inches for the next at least 10 minutes with a speed of 100 compressions per minute until the person gets revived.”

The public must remember that to do a CPR, you need not be certified as a qualified CPR provider.

“A PCR van can reach the spot within a few minutes. So, they have the best chance of saving a life using CPR 10 technique,” said Padma Shri Awardee, Dr A Marthanda Pillai, National President, IMA.

In her message, Padma Shri Awardee and renowned Bharatanatyam dancer, Ms. Geeta Chandran said “Everybody should be aware of and learn the technique of CPR. You never know whose life you may be able to save.”

Over 1500 police PCR van staff trained in CPR 10 (Compression only CPR, Bystander CPR, First responder CPR)

Over 1500 police PCR van staff trained in CPR 10 (Compression only CPR, Bystander CPR, First responder CPR)

New Delhi 13^th July: Heart Care Foundation of India jointly with the Indian Medical Association, Delhi Red Cross Society and Delhi Police has trained over 1500 police PCR staff in a span of one week. Addressing a press meet at the IMA today, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal - President of Heart Care Foundation of India and Honorary Secretary General of IMA  and Ms. Anita Roy - Additional DCP Training PCR, said that the aim was to train 100% of the Delhi Police PCR  van staff in the life-saving technique of hands only CPR 10 for revival after sudden cardiac arrest by 14th August, 2015.

 “One does not need a certification or degree to learn or practice hands only CPR. It is a first aid method which can be performed by anyone. It is imperitive that each one of us learn this technique for you never know, when you will be able to save someone’s life. For best results, CPR must be performed within a ten minutes of a persons death. The earlier it is preformed, the higher the chances of reviving the person" said, Padma Shri Awardee and noted poet Sh. Ashok Chakradhar.

Adding to this, Dr KK Aggarwal said, “Only a neighbourhood PCR van can reach an accident site within the first few minutes.  Given the cruciality of each mintute that passes after a person collapses from a sudden cardiac arrest, the PCR van staff can play an important role in helping save lives. CPR must be performed only on patients who are clinically dead and not breathing. The important thing to remember is to compress the center of the chest, about one to two inches deep in between their two nipples, with a speed of atleast 100 per minute (not more than 125)”.

One must rememebr that CPR should only be performed on a hard surface. The victim should be made to lie on the floor, face towards the ceiling. The person performing CPR must stand on his knees, elbows straight and hands interlocked.

Ms Anita Roy added, Over 250 emergency health calls are attended by the PCR vans each day. With each and every PCR van staff being trained in Hands only CPR 10, several lives can be saved.”

Continuous compression only CPR compresses the heart between the sternum and the backbone and builds up the pressure that keeps the oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and keeps the person alive until a defibrillator becomes available or expert medical help arrives. Therefore, if you see someone collapse from sudden cardiac arrest, acting promptly can save his or her life. It is important to act quickly for every minute lost reduces the chances of revival by 10%. So, if you wait 5 minutes, the chances of surviving are 50% less. The earlier you give CPR to a person in cardiac arrest, the greater the chance of a successful resuscitation. To know more or to organize a training camp in your locality, please call the NGO’s helpline number 9958771177.