The good gestures of cardiac massage

If the person is not breathing, start a heart massage as soon as possible. I start by asking others to call for help and get a defibrillator. If I'm alone and spotted a defibrillator within a minute, I'm going. Otherwise, I do not waste time looking, I start to massage: every minute that passes while the heart is stopped lost 10% chance of survival.

  • I put the victim on the back, I kneel beside his chest, I put the heel of my left hand in the middle of his chest (on the line between the two nipples).
  • I put my right hand above the left and I interlace the fingers to secure both hands.
  • I move the bust so that my shoulders are above the chest of the victim, I keep the arms extended.
  • I press vigorously and release slightly, at the rate of two compressions per second.
  • I continue until help arrives, without stopping.

The lateral safety position, step by step

First of all, I clear the airways by tilting my head back, placing one hand on the victim's forehead, and the other hand under his chin to lean his head. Next are 4 steps.

  • I stand next to the person, kneeling at the level of his chest.
  • I place the victim's arm closest to me at right angles. I grab the other arm and put the back of his hand against his opposite ear.
  • I then put one hand under her opposite knee and gently roll the person towards me until the knee touches the ground. I stabilize the position.
  • I open the mouth of the victim with thumb and forefinger to allow the flow of liquid to the outside.

I risk what if it goes wrong?

The French penal code specifies that there is obligation of action but no obligation of result. Translation: we must alert rescue, otherwise it is non-assistance to person in danger . After, we do what we can and we will not be bothered if we break a rib while trying to do a cardiac massage.

We take advantage of summer to train

To get free first aid, the summer caravan of the Red Cross circulates in 10 departments from 8 July. More info: croix-rouge.fr

Thanks to Dr. Pascal Cassan, doctor-advisor of the French Red Cross