Immediate bystander CPR and early activation of emergency services are crucial when it comes to saving the life of a patient who has experienced a cardiac arrest.<\/p>\n
Faheem Essop, an intermediate life support (ILS) practitioner at ER24 knows all about this.<\/p>
He had to do what he knew well at a recent motor vehicle collision – save lives under unforeseen circumstances.<\/p>\n
The only difference was, it wasn\u2019t the driver who needed the immediate help.<\/p>
\u201cMy partner Dean Isler and I were dispatched to a single motor vehicle collision in Johannesburg about a month ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn arrival, two men, who were on scene, had an altercation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe assisted the driver of the vehicle who had only sustained minor injuries.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we assessed him in the back of the ambulance I heard a loud noise against it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought someone must have driven into us or something.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I got out of the ambulance I saw the one guy, from the earlier altercation, clutching at his chest.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u201cI suspect he had a myocardial infarction. As I knew my partner was busy with the other patient I immediately sprang into action,\u201d Essop said.<\/p>\n
Essop added that the man was found to have a shockable rhythm, so he defibrillated him and immediately continued with CPR.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n On the road in wet weather? Be cautious<\/a><\/p>\n Make sure your children are in appropriate car seats<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe requested an Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedic and while waiting I continued with CPR and defibrillation until we felt a pulse. We then rushed him to Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we weren\u2019t there at that specific moment he probably wouldn\u2019t have survived.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was no pulse and he didn\u2019t breathe for quite a while. When we arrived at the hospital the doctor said that the immediate CPR had been a tremendous help to this man.<\/p>\n \u201cI truly believe effective CPR can make a big difference. When you see a life-threatening rhythm on the monitor it is quite an amazing feeling when you get the patient\u2019s pulse back,\u201d said Essop.<\/p>\n Dr Robyn Holgate, ER24\u2019s chief medical officer, explained why effective CPR is of utmost importance when a patient is in cardiac arrest.<\/p>\n \u201cCardiac arrest is synonymous with clinical death. Early CPR improves the flow of blood and oxygen to vital organs, an essential component of treating cardiac arrest.<\/p>\n \u201cThe earlier you give CPR to somebody in cardiac arrest, the greater their chance of survival. CPR should be started as soon as possible and interrupted as little as possible.<\/p>\n \u201cThe component of CPR which seems to make the greatest difference is chest compressions.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce chest compressions have commenced don\u2019t forget to place an AED on the patient\u2019s chest if there is one available.<\/p>\n \u201cThis will help to analyse and identify a shockable rhythm. Early defibrillation (with an AED, or defibrillator as soon as the EMS arrives within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest) is the only effective treatment in the management of ventricular fibrillation.<\/p>\n \u201cIf defibrillation is delayed, the rhythm is likely to degenerate into asystole, for which outcomes are worse.<\/p>\n \u201cThe sequence of critical events most likely to improve survival includes; early identification of the cardiac arrest and notification of emergency services (call 084 124), performing CPR with minimal interruptions to chest compressions, confirming the rhythm and early defibrillation if indicated, and advanced life support care.<\/p>\n \u201cLearn CPR for the sake of your loved ones,\u201d said Robyn.<\/p>\n How to perform hands-only CPR:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>, Leigh Hodgson (journalist)\u00a0leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0or Puleng Sekabate\u00a0pulengs@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/strong>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n