Do you know how to save the life of someone you love? When the pressure is on? When every second counts?
Or would you only be able to stand there frozen? Hoping that someone else will do something?
On 7th May, Bangkok Pattaya Hospital ran a free Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation course for members of the Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC). This is part of its outreach community program and its close friendship with the PCEC. Participants were taught Basic Life Support and its elements, how to provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation by following its three main components: Compressions Airway Breathing (CAB).
One of the key learnings was how to use an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). These are increasingly being positioned in airports and other public places throughout the world. Indeed, increasingly, drones will be delivering these to wherever needed. They enable non-professionals to attempt to revive people who have undergone a cardiac arrest. They consist of two pads which, properly positioned, can deliver an electric shock. The device also instructs people on the scene on how to use them.
But, meanwhile… before the AED arrives, the resuscitation process has to start. You don’t die because your heart stops. You die because oxygen stops getting to your cells – in particular, your brain cells. And this is where CPR can keep your cells alive until your heart can (hopefully) be restarted – perhaps by an AED.
Participants were able to practice with AEDs and practice chest compressions with purpose-built dummies which register whether you are giving compressions properly.
Also, in attendance, at the invitation of the PCEC, were Judy Harland and Gayle Searle, two volunteers from the Hand to Hand Foundation Pattaya which, among other things, runs a pre-school for children from the slums around Pattaya. From their attendance, the suggestion was raised that Bangkok Pattaya Hospital might run free CPR classes for volunteer organizations, especially those which work with children with an emphasis on first aid and resuscitation of children. This suggestion was warmly embraced by the staff of BPH. Expect to hear more about this great initiative in the future.
The training covered:
- Taking control of the situation.
- Phoning for help
- What numbers to phone (In Thailand the emergency number is 1669)
- Verify scene safety
- Checking whether the person is responsive
- Checking for pulse
- How to provide chest compressions
- How long to give chest compressions until you give two breaths
- How to operate an AED
- How to work solo or as a team
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