Restarting a heart isn’t something you just do at home. It’s serious business. But knowing the basics could save a life, so it’s worth understanding what’s involved.
Call 999
In the UK, if someone suddenly collapses and their heart stops, the first thing to do is call 999 immediately. Don’t hang about as every second counts. Emergency services will guide you while you start life-saving measures.
Next up is CPR which is cardiopulmonary resuscitation
This keeps the blood flowing to the brain and other organs until professionals arrive. It’s simple in theory. You push hard and fast in the centre of the chest, roughly 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Don’t worry too much about exact numbers. The key is to keep going and keep the rhythm steady. The most important thing is the chest compressions. Useful emergency first aid training courses are available from providers such as tidaltraining.co.uk/emergency-first-aid-training-courses/.
Then there’s the defibrillator, or AED
These handy devices are popping up in supermarkets, train stations and offices across the UK. They analyse the heart rhythm and, if needed, deliver a shock to restart the heart. Modern AEDs talk you through the process step by step, so even a complete beginner can use them safely. It might sound terrifying, and that’s natural. But the combination of calling 999, performing CPR, and using an AED dramatically improves the chance of a person’s survival. Knowing the steps, and keeping calm, could literally save someone’s life.
