How to apply CPR on yourself during a heart attack

How to apply CPR on yourself during a heart attack

I received an email written in Chinese regarding the above matter. As I think it is very useful in saving lives, I will translate it here for readers. Here it goes:

Suppose the time is 5.00 p.m. and you are driving home all alone after a hard day’s work. Somehow or other you feel nervous and uncomfortable. Suddenly you suffer acute chest pain which spreads to your limbs and lower jaw but the nearest hospital is 5 kilometres away and you doubt whether you can make it there.

You have learnt how to apply CPR (Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation) on others but you have not learnt how to do it on yourself to save your own life.

When alone, how do you apply CPR ?

If your heart cannot beat normally and you feel as if you are going to faint, you will have about 10 seconds before you lose you consciousness. You have to use the precious 10 seconds to save yourself.

Don’t panic. This is what you must do.

1 Just cough continuously and forcefully.

2 Before coughing, take a deep breath, then cough hard and for a long time as if you want to cough out the phlegm.

3 Take your breath every 2 seconds and continue to cough hard until help arrives or until your heart beat returns to normal.