When a Sudden Cardiac Arrest strikes, the victim can be doing any of their normal activities they do from day to day in their life. From sitting at home watching TV, asleep in bed, mowing the lawn, shopping, playing golf or other sport, at work or in the car or on a train. Simply, we don’t know where and when Sudden Cardiac Arrest is going to occur.
So, we are not able to plan for the event when it happens.
As the victims is struck lifeless, they may fall from a standing position, fall from a chair or fall onto the footpath, resulting in any type of injury such as a fractured arm, leg or skull. There are often lacerations (cuts) to the skin on the head, arms or legs.
Whilst injuries are often sustained, it is paramount that the main focus initially is on early CPR (chest compressions in particular) and of course defibrillation. These two actions will give the patin the best chance of survival. So, get into the D R S A B C D immediately! Make sure you have the ambo’s on the way too.
Then, if you need to, and time permits, and once there are many hands to help, you may have a chance to bandage any lacerations, or maybe splint a leg or arm. But remember, you only do this after compressions and defibrillation have been taken care of. You may not get any time to actually administer first aid other than CPR & defibrillation.
If you have done a Sudden Cardiac Arrest case, or you want to plan for how to manage one, call the Defibshop team for advice on how you went or how to be best prepared.
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