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Cardiac massage
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If there is no pulse, breathing is stopped, the person in unconscious and the pupils are dilated it means the heart has stopped beating. In this case, cardiac massage and artificial respiration should be started right away. Through the pressure exerted on the sternum, the heart gets compressed against the spinal column, which pushes the blood to flow in the arteries. When the heart is let to decompress, it fills again automatically with blood. Cardiac massage is always complemented by artificial respiration. Ideally, several rescuers are available, so one takes care of artificial respiration (kneeling beside the head) while another one does the cardiac massage (kneeling beside the chest).
Cardiac massage with one or more rescuers
- The affected person lies down on a flat, firm surface, with the legs slightly raised to facilitate the reflux of blood to the heart.
- Open the fingers of one hand and put the hand heel on the lower part of the sternum. Next, put the other hand over the first one and, in this position, totally extend the arms maintaining a straight back; now start the compression movement downward using all the weigh of the trunk. The frequency should be 100 massages per minute. Every 20 massages, the patient must receive artificial respiration twice. When more than one rescuer is available, massage and artificial respiration must be given simultaneously. If there is only one rescuer, remember that cardiac massage must be resumed as soon as possible.
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