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.