Act Fast! Save Someone from a Heart Attack

by Kevin Smith Author

You witness someone fall short of breath. There are indications that they're nauseous and suffering from excruciating pain as they clutch their chest. Shortly thereafter, they collapse on the floor. You know it's a heart attack.

In a fraction of a second, you've fished your phone out of your pocket and dialed an emergency number. People are starting to gather around the patient, but no one is doing anything to help. That's when you take action and do the following to try to save their life:

Clear Out the Area

The mob around the patient is getting thicker. Immediately stop this from happening. Tell everyone to move at least a step away to give the unconscious person some space to breathe. If they landed on the floor awkwardly, put them in a comfortable position with their hands on either side of their body and where there's enough open air.

Check their breathing. Every second counts. Act quickly so they won't run out of oxygen. Put your ear to their chest and listen for their heartbeat. If it's there but faint, do NOT attempt CPR. This can cause serious damage. If it’s not beating at all, you have to perform chest compressions.

Begin Chest Compressions

This is also called a hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and you can execute this even if you aren't a paramedic or a cardiologist from Suffolk County, NY by following these steps:

· Place your dominant hand under the other and then interlock your fingers. Both palms should be facing downwards.

· Kneel beside the patient, and then put the heel of your palm right at the center of the person's chest. This is the area where the rib cage curves a few inches below their collarbone.

· Press straight down using your body weight. Don't just rely on the force coming from your arms. Make sure that their chest is pushing about an inch or two downwards.

· Try to do 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute to mimic a heartbeat.

Keep Pushing

Remember that executing this emergency lifesaving procedure increases a person's chance of survival. It's highly important that you don't panic! Continue performing chest compressions until medical professionals are available. Doing so will maintain a partially active blood flow in the patient's body that's essential to keeping them alive until help comes.

Soon you'll hear the ambulance wailing. Paramedics or even a licensed cardiologist from Suffolk County, NY will arrive to attend to the patient. Thanks to your quick-acting, someone's life is saved.