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Only half of Brits are confident they can bring a loved one back to life… so here’s how to do it

Only half of British adults believe they can give a loved one the kiss of life in cardiac arrest.

More than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the UK each year, with eight in ten occurring at home.

However, according to a survey by the British Heart Foundation, only 51 per cent said they could perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary.

More than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the UK each year, with eight in ten occurring at home

READ MORE: What IS the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest? Our guide to ALL medical terms that are wrongly confused

The survey of more than 4,000 adults found that a third of people (33 percent) had never learned the life-saving procedure.

Of these, almost half (47 per cent) said they did not know where to study, while almost a quarter (24 per cent) said they lacked confidence.

In cardiac arrest, the heart suddenly stops pumping blood through the body, depriving the brain of oxygen.

Fewer than one in ten people survive, often because those close to them lack the skills or confidence to intervene.

When someone performs CPR, the chest compressions mimic the pumping of the heart, causing blood to flow through the body.

That and defibrillation – using a machine to get the heart into a healthy rhythm – have been shown to more than double the chances of survival.

Experts at the British Heart Foundation said it could be “the most important lesson you’ll ever learn” as it takes just 15 minutes to learn using the charity’s digital CPR training tool on their website.

RevivR teaches people how to recognize cardiac arrest, provides feedback on chest compressions and outlines the correct steps for using a defibrillator to give everyone the confidence to help in the ultimate medical emergency.

DR Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive of the British Heart Foundation said: “When someone is in cardiac arrest, every second counts and knowing that CPR can mean the difference between life and death.

“Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time – it could be your partner, your father or mother, or your child.

“Our research shows that too many of us haven’t learned CPR and don’t have the confidence to step in if the worst happens.

“It only takes 15 minutes to learn with RevivR – be it a coffee break, a break from soccer, or time spent browsing social media. I urge you to do so today because it may be the most important lesson you will ever learn.”

bhf.org.uk/hartmonth

How do you do CPR? Here is the ultimate guide designed by experts

Everyone knows to call 999 when someone is unconscious and not breathing properly, but how to perform a life-saving skill before paramedics arrive remains a mystery to millions of people.

Cardiac arrest – when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body – is the most extreme medical emergency. Victims can die within minutes without treatment.

But CPR — when someone gives chest compressions to a person in cardiac arrest — can keep patients alive until paramedics arrive.

Here, MailOnline shares the British Heart Foundation’s step-by-step guide to performing CPR.

If the person is not breathing or not breathing normally, call 999 and ask someone to get a defibrillator

If the person is not breathing or not breathing normally, call 999 and ask someone to get a defibrillator

To begin chest compressions, kneel next to the victim and place the heel of your hand on the center of their chest.  Place the other hand on top of the first and interlace your fingers

To begin chest compressions, kneel next to the victim and place the heel of your hand on the center of their chest. Place the other hand on top of the first and interlace your fingers

Keeping your arms straight, press the heel of your hand firmly between your sternum about 5 to 6 cm and release.  Do this at a rate of 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute - about two per second

Keeping your arms straight, use the heel of your hand to press firmly between your sternum—about 5 to 6 cm—and release. Do this at a rate of 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute – about two per second

How to revive babies and children

The method of life-saving CPR in infants and children is different from that in adults.

How to perform CPR on babies under one year old

1. Turn the child on his back, open his mouth and tilt his head back

2. Close your mouth and nose with your mouth and exhale firmly until your chest rises. Give five of these breaths.

3. Place two fingers in the middle of the child’s chest and push down about 4 cm. Repeat 30 times, letting your chest rise again before pushing back.

4. After 30 compressions, give two breaths. Repeat until first aid arrives or the child shows signs of consciousness, such as B. breathing, moving or opening the eyes.

How to perform CPR on a child aged 1 to 18 years

1. Turn the child on his back, open his mouth and tilt his head back

2. Pinch your nose, close your mouth with yours and exhale deeply until your chest rises. Give five of these breaths.

3. Place one hand in the center of the child’s chest and push about a third down. Repeat 30 times, letting your chest rise again before pushing back.

4. After 30 compressions, give two breaths. Repeat until first aid arrives or the child shows signs of consciousness, such as B. breathing, moving or opening the eyes.

source: British Heart Foundation

Step 1

If an adult appears unconscious, gently shake their shoulders and ask aloud if everything is okay.

step 2

If the person is not breathing or not breathing normally, have someone call 999 and ask someone to find a public defibrillator (PAD).

Call 999 yourself when no one is around. On-call personnel provide instructions on how to perform CPR.

step 3

Start with chest compressions.

Kneel next to the victim and place the heel of your hand on the center of their chest. Place the other hand on top of the first and interlace your fingers.

Keeping your arms straight, use the heel of your hand to press firmly between your sternum—about 5 to 6 cm—and release.

Do this at a rate of 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute – about two per second.

Songs like the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive,” Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger,” and the Spice Girls’ “Wannabe” all have 100 to 120 beats per minute, so doctors recommend scaling to these numbers when performing CPR think.

step 4

Continue to provide chest compressions until 999 crew members arrive on site and take over whether the person regains consciousness – by coughing, opening their eyes, talking or breathing normally.

If someone is around, this can be done in turns.

step 5

If a defibrillator is found, turn it on and follow the instructions.

The machine will detect if a shock is needed. Some devices deliver a shock without prompting, while others indicate whether a shock must be pressed to deliver the shock.

rescue ventilation

During chest compressions, breathe when comfortable.

The British Heart Association says CPR without mouth-to-mouth breathing is still very effective at keeping the heart pumping.

To give rescue breaths, gently tilt the person’s head back and lift their chin with two fingers.

Push her nose. Close your mouth over hers and blow hard for a second. do it twice

Then pump your chest and count to 30 before taking two more breaths.

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