Sussex Heart Charity Symptoms & Action
The following information is extracted from the Heartguard booklet published by the Heartguard Resuscitation Scheme. Heartguard is supported by the SHC and provides Basic Life Support courses for any club, business, college or school.
Signs of a Heart Attack
Persistent discomfort/indigestion or central chest pain.
A crushing feeling like a tight band, may spread to the arms, throat,
jaw or back.
The pain/discomfort does not go away
Sweaty clammy skin
Feeling sick
Feeling weak or dizzy
Skin may become pale
Feeling of impending doom
Not all these warning signs occur in every heart attack. If some start
to occur, however, don’t wait. Get help immediately If any of these
symptoms last for more
than 10 minutes call 999 for the ambulance.
If a victim is going to have a cardiac arrest (heart stop), it is more
likely to happen within the first hour.
CALL THE AMBULANCE
Do not waste time.
Basic Life Support
Basic Life Support is the term used for the emergency treatment of a victim
who has collapsed and the heart has stopped. The longer cardiac arrest
has persisted without effective chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth,
the more likely the victim is to suffer irreversible brain damage. The
only alternative to the initiation of basic life support on a victim in
cardiac arrest is death.
Without emergency basic life support a person in cardiac arrest will not be Resuscitated, regardless of how good the treatment given by the paramedics, nurses and doctors.
Do not expect to resuscitate a victim. Basic life support will maintain the circulation to the brain and other vital organs, it’s the emergency services who will restart the victims heart.
Breathing
If the victim is not breathing. Send someone for assistance. If you are
alone leave the victim and telephone for an ambulance. Return and turn
him onto his back if he is not already in this position.Check the mouth
and remove any visible obstruction, including dislodged dentures. Mouth-to
mouth on a victim with no dentures is very difficult. Mouth-to-nose ventilations
are more effective in this case. Tilt the head back.Take a breath, place
your mouth completely over the mouth of the victim, making a firm seal,
and breathe steadily into the victim.Give 2 effective rescue breaths,
try up to 5 times.
Circulation
Place 2 fingers on the Adams Apple, slide fingers, into the groove at
the side of the wind pipe and feel for a pulse. Allow only 10 seconds
for this. If there are no signs of a pulse the victim is in cardiac arrest.
Chest Compressions
Start chest compressions by locating the lower half of the breastbone
with your fingers. Move the heel of your other hand down until it reaches
your fingers. Position yourself vertically above the victims chest, kneeling
close to the victim. Using the heels of your hand, place one heel above
the other, and interlock fingers, keeping fingers and palm off the chest.
Keep the elbows locked and straightened. Position your shoulders directly
over your hands so that the thrust is straight down. Keep your hands resting
lightly on the victims chest between compressions. Depress the breastbone
4-5cms. Release the pressure. Give 15 compressions at a rate of approximately
100 per minute. After 15 compressions tilt the head, lift the chin, and
give 2 more effective breaths. Continue with the ratio of 15 to 2 until:
The paramedics tell
you to stop.
You become exhausted.
The victim shows signs of life.
Do not forget it is
the defibrillator that will restart the heart.
