How to Perform Self CPR When You're Alone and Experiencing Severe Chest Pain

Self CPR: A Lifesaving Technique

Please find a PPT attachment for Self CPR. This is a process for a person who is suffering from severe chest pain (Angina pectoris), a condition that arises due to Myocardial Infarction (the most important muscle of the heart which works round the clock). If this person is found alone and unable to seek help from others, they can sustain their life by following the methods of self CPR. It involves increasing the oxygen intake by deliberately increasing the rate of respiration. The presentation is very brief but precisely explains how one can sustain life.

Regards,
Ravi Singh
Healthcare Trainer
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

"Learn to save lives"

Thank you for sharing the information. I will share it with my colleagues. I have one question: if a person experiences a Myocardial Infarction, will they be able to perform the actions mentioned in the presentation, such as coughing and breathing? Do you know of any practical cases where someone saved a life by performing self-CPR?

Thanks, and please continue sharing your expertise with us.

Thank you for your appreciation. Let me explain the process to you. I am sure you have been following the thread of CPR background. Here, I am writing regarding what happens in myocardial infarction and why it causes chest pain. Simultaneously, I will explain what bystanders, relatives, and the individual himself should do.

Understanding Myocardial Infarction

The heart muscle, especially the myocardium (middle layer of the heart), works round the clock without stopping. It is a thick layer that requires a rich blood supply. As it works extensively, it needs more oxygen for survival; hence, it is richly supplied by blood vessels called arteries. The heart, being a special organ, receives its blood supply from a special branch of the main artery (aorta), known as the coronary artery.

Due to the deposition of cholesterol or other atheromatous material, this coronary artery becomes clogged, leading to reduced blood flow to the heart muscles. With insufficient blood reaching the heart, the muscles do not receive proper oxygen, resulting in muscle death (infarction). It is similar to making a person work without adequate food and nutrition, leading to adverse outcomes. The heart muscles signal this situation through pain, and a person experiencing a myocardial infarction typically feels constricting chest pain, usually in the center of the chest radiating towards the left arm, left jaw, ear, and back of the left shoulder blade. (Note that gastric trouble pain does not radiate towards the left side of the upper body.)

Steps to Replenish Oxygen

How can oxygen be replenished? The best way is to enhance oxygenation by breathing vigorously, which reduces CO2 levels. Even if the person collapses, this method can help extend the time before brain tissue death. Hyperventilation should be done deliberately to store extra oxygen, which can be crucial in prolonging life in case of an emergency. Research conducted by the American Heart Association has indicated that this method is very useful when an individual is alone and experiencing chest pain.

Recovery will be significantly improved with less weakening of the heart muscles if self-CPR is practiced. I hope this explanation helps people understand the topic better.

Regards,
Ravi Singh
Healthcare Trainer
[Email Removed For Privacy Reasons]

First of all, thank you for your explanation. Sorry for asking again, but with an anxious mind, I would like to know about any previous survival cases using this self-CPR technique at the time of MI. You mentioned that the pain during an MI is so intense that a person may not be able to perform self-CPR at that time.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Case Study: Successful Self-CPR by a Retired Army Officer

Thank you for igniting minds. There is only one case reported by us in Mumbai. This gentleman, a retired Army Officer aged 68 years, came to the hospital driving. Upon reaching the casualty center, he collapsed and was immediately put on life-saving devices. He recovered within 2 hours. The course of treatment included an assessment that revealed no breaths and no pulse. This occurred within minutes of his arrival at the hospital. CPR was initiated immediately, followed by advanced cardiac life support algorithms and procedures.

Injections of adrenaline and other drugs (which I believe are beyond the understanding of a common person) were administered. The patient was successfully resuscitated. ECG and other tests were conducted, including angiography. He was diagnosed with a posterior wall MI due to second-degree heart block. The individual reported experiencing giddiness, constricting chest pain towards the left arm, and difficulty in breathing. He had learned self-CPR from various sources and, being a known case of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia on medications, he applied this method, anticipating its potential usefulness.

He drove himself to the hospital while simultaneously performing self-CPR by vigorously coughing and breathing intensely. Two years have passed since I last met him, and he is still doing well while continuing his medications.

The evaluation of this case revealed that due to self-CPR, his heart muscles continued to receive a good amount of oxygen, minimizing the extent of damage and allowing the muscle to survive with good tone remaining. I hope this information will help others understand and encourage them to share it with others.

Regards,
Ravi Singh
Healthcare Trainer
Advanced Cardiac Life Support Trainer
safepro.co.in
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Thank you for your eloquent reply. I will try to make people aware of this as much as I can. As a first step, I am sending this self-CPR presentation to our Medical Officer.

Thanks once again. Keep on sharing your expertise with us.

Regards

Dear Rave Love (RP Singh), Thanks for sharing such a valuable presentation with us. Sorry for the late reply; I have been quite busy today, and only now have I found the time to go through this thread.

Dear Dipil, I appreciate your enthusiasm for learning. Keep sharing your insights.

Thank you.

Thank you for your comments. I am sure it must have been a nightmare in some cases for you, so the presentation is horrible. Whatever it may be, I am sure it will be a horrible situation for a person left alone without any attention and not aware of how to seek help or how to help himself. Despite this, all things posted by me are for the masses to benefit from, and that's what my objectives are. Please take it in a lighter mode (yeah, mode).

Let us save lives by learning and practicing.

Regards,
Ravi Singh
Healthcare Trainer
[Email Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Dear Sir, We have earlier discussed the ratio for imparting CPR, and it is as follows:

"In the case of one first aider - 2 breaths followed by 30 compressions.

In the case of two first aiders - 2 breaths followed by 30 compressions.

Thus, we see that the sequence of mouth-to-mouth respiration and compressions does not change.

The sequence only changes if the victim is below one year old, and here first aiders must follow:

One First Aider - 2 breaths followed by 30 compressions.

Two First Aiders - 2 breaths followed by 15 compressions.

These are the latest guidelines."

Now, I request you to please go through the post below, where you can find a baby CPR video clip shared by one of our members, Mr. KV Sundaram.

https://www.citehr.com/304170-safety...art-ii-26.html

The adult CPR video showing the ratio 2:30 for an adult, as you mentioned, has no confusion in it. But in the baby CPR video, it's showing initially 2 breaths followed by maintaining a 1:5 ratio (1 breath: 5 compressions). Why this change? Is it based on the old guidelines? Please guide me.

What are the final and new guidelines we must refer to when it comes to first aid matters in India?

Hope to hear from you positively.

Thanks in advance.

Dear Mr. Dipil,

I would like to reiterate that there are tendencies among people to copy and paste things without proper knowledge or credibility. I prefer not to dwell on this issue as it reflects poorly on me, and addressing it would require me to provide additional support with valid information. It is common for such incidents to occur, and one should not be discouraged or develop a confrontational attitude. While individuals may have varying preferences, when it comes to standardizing procedures for the sake of saving precious human lives, it is essential to follow individuals with credible experience in the specific field.

There are trainers without medical backgrounds who excel in marketing and possess effective communication skills, which enables them to become First Aid trainers.

The sequences I have mentioned are internationally recognized and endorsed by an institution that even coined the term CPR. Therefore, people are free to share and write as they choose, and I do not intend to question their credibility. It is possible that they have been taught the same sequences. However, I would like to explain why the 5:1 breathing and compression sequence has been discontinued. The primary reason is that changing positions and providing breathing interruptions consume valuable time during compressions. While breathing is crucial, administering it four times per cycle alongside 30 compressions is more than adequate for neonates. I regret that I am unable to share videos here due to copyright restrictions imposed by the AHA.

I hope this clarification helps to eliminate any confusion regarding the sequence of respiration and compressions.

Regards,
Ravi Singh
Healthcare Trainer
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]