Cardiac arrest is an unpredictable condition. It occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating or beats ineffectively to circulate blood to the brain and other vital organs and may happen anytime to anyone with or without pre-existing heart diseases. Among adults in the Philippines, half of all deaths from heart diseases occur as sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest remains a major public health problem. It is associated with a low survival rate, and major long-term severe mental impairment. Cardiac arrest is like a thief in the night, it does strike without warning.
Studies have shown that effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), when done immediately after cardiac arrest, can help in the victim's chance of survival by twice. CPR is a simple life-saving technique consisting of repetitive chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth breathing, which forms a vital link in emergency management during an episode of cardiac arrest. It significantly improves survival and contributes to the preservation of heart and brain function. In fact, most studies have shown that patients in whom early CPR was instituted have lesser neurologic dysfunction and higher survival compared to those in whom CPR was done late. (Philippine Heart Organization)
As the Philippines celebrates National CPR Day on 17 July, the Philippine Red Cross, the leading first aid provider in the country, offers a wide range of first aid and basic life support training courses, they offer First Aid and CPR training. The Philippine Red Cross has emergency health and safety training and certification options available to suit everyone’s needs.This is in support of Republic Act No. 10871 or the “Basic Life Support Training Schools Act,” which requires basic education students to undergo age-appropriate basic life-saving training for the students and young age could save a life in case of a sudden cardiac arrest happened in-home, at work or school, or in any public place, for anyone can save a life.
Check out the website of Philippine Red Cross for more information.
Written by: NO I Ace Patriarca
References:
BusinessMirror (July 16, 2019) https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/07/16/july-17-is-national-cpr-day-red-cross-eyes-first-aiders-in-every-household/
Philippine Heart Organization https://www.philheart.org/index.php/be-involved/our-advocacies/save-a-life-cpr/569-sudden-cardiac-arrest-and-the-value-of-cpr
Philippine Red Cross https://redcross.org.ph/
