In light of International Trauma Day, The Life Glynnwood Hospital educated Grade 11 learners of St Francis College about Hands Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on October 11.
As part of the World Restart a Heart initiative, Dea Venter explained that the primary goal of the lesson was to increase cardiac arrest awareness and that it would increase bystander CPR rates.
She added that the purpose of CPR is to pump blood, which is carrying oxygen to the person’s heart and brain, until help arrives.
Paramedic Louis Erasmus taught the learners what to do when they see someone lying on the ground.
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These steps could be the three H-steps which is Hazards, Hello and Help.
“Once you see someone lying on the ground the first thing you do is check your surroundings to see if there is anything hazardous that could harm you.
“Tap the person on the shoulder and say hello to see if they are responding and if they are not, call for help and conduct the hands only CPR,” he said.
Erasmus explained step-by-step how chest compressions should be conducted:
• Person should be lying on a flat surface.
• One hand centre of the chest, while the other is over the first hand.
• Interlock fingers, lock elbows straight and push hard, 5cm deep.
• Push fast 100 to 120 beats per minute.
• Allow the chest to recoil after each compression.
They were also taught how to treat a nose bleed, bee sting and a sprain.
