NEW YORK – Buffalo defensive back Damar Hamlin collapsed during Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, where he was on the field for about 10 minutes while medical professionals administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation, known as CPR.
Hamlin was later taken to hospital with family members by his side. The Buffalo Bills announced that Hamlin has collapsed of cardiac arrest and remains in critical condition.
CPR is given as an emergency procedure when someone’s heart stops beating, known as cardiac arrest. According to the American Heart Association, Approximately 350,000 Americans die each year from cardiac arrest, making it one of the most common causes of death in the United States.
Administering CPR is essential for a patient in cardiac arrest unless you are in close proximity to a medical facility. Calling 9-1-1 and waiting for an ambulance can take several minutes, if not longer, so performing CPR immediately can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.
Here are some things to know about performing CPR and treating cardiac arrest:
The non-invasive device allows for continuous, real-time monitoring of various heart conditions.
What is the difference between a cardiac arrest and a heart attack?
Although a heart attack and cardiac arrest involve destabilization of the heart and may look similar to an ordinary person. But they are very different and should be treated differently, depending on the American Heart Association.
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, often due to a blockage in a coronary artery. A heart attack often occurs alongside chest pain. If anyone around you appears to be having a heart attack, call 9-1-1.
Cardiac arrest when there is a sudden interruption of an electrical malfunction in the heart, making the heart unable to pump oxygen to the brain, lungs and other parts of the body. A person who has sudden cardiac arrest will collapse and have no pulse.
What is CPR?
CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and is a procedure that involves applying chest compressions to someone who has experienced cardiac arrest. CPR may also include mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but it is recommended that it be performed only by medical professionals and not by members of the general public responding to an emergency situation.
The goal of CPR is to keep a person’s blood flowing, which will increase the chances of successful resuscitation once the patient is released into the hands of medical professionals.
How is CPR performed?
CPR is performed by using both hands to push down on the chest. It is recommended that chest compressions be at least 2 inches deep and that compressions do not exceed 2.4 inches. The rate of chest compressions should be between 100 and 120 per minute. If you are performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, the ratio of chest compressions to mouth-to-mouth resuscitations should be 30:2.
How do I learn CPR?
It is immensely helpful to have practiced CPR before acting in a real-life situation. Sometimes high schools and colleges teach the procedure in a health class, but if you haven’t received training in CPR or don’t remember how to do it, it’s always helpful to take a class offered by organizations like the American Red Cross.
The The American Red Cross offers courses and classes in CPR. Upon completion of your training, the American Red Cross will provide you with a CPR certificate, which can be used to demonstrate that you are trained in CPR if you are taking on a job or role that requires it.
What is an AED?
An AED, or automated external defibrillator, is a device used to treat patients with sudden cardiac arrest. They can be found in many offices and public buildings, and are usually housed in a glass box with a sign that says “DEA” or AED in English on the roof.
An AED analyzes the heart rhythm and, if necessary, can deliver an electric shock.
Organizations like the The American Red Cross and American Heart Association also offer DEA certification courses and training.
How do you use an AED?
The complete step-by-step breakdown of how to use an AED It can be found here. But the general method for applying an AED is to apply the pads to someone’s bare chest and then follow the instructions on the machine. A member of the general public should only use an AED if he or she has been trained to do so.
