Only 3% of city’s population know CPR technique: Survey

HYDERABAD: When compared to their counterparts in other metros, Hyderabadis have poor knowledge of CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) -- the life-saving measure followed to save a victim of cardiac arrest. A pan India survey conducted among 1 lakh users in 20 cities conducted by Lybrate, an online doctor consultation platform, found that only 3% of the city’s population can perform the procedure.In Hyderabad, among 5,000 persons participating in the nationwide survey (2,700 male and 2,300 female), only about 3% ie 150 persons- 77 males and 73 female - claimed to know the technique.
“The survey is a wake-up call and calls for training people in the simple life-saving technique and take it more seriously on a policy level in healthcare,” said Saurabh Arora, founder and CEO, Lybrate. The survey found general populace in other metro cities far better equipped when it comes to administering CPR in case of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest - which can happen due to a dozen odd reasons. In Bengaluru, the awareness rate of CPR among general population was found to be 4.5%, Chennai (5%), Delhi (6%), Mumbai (6.5%) and Kolkata at 5% among those surveyed from these cities.
The survey shows that less than 2% of the 100,000 surveyed knew the technique, while only 0.1% said they had performed it on someone in case of an emergency. However, there seems to be a gradual change on the ground with city-based hospitals now taking up free training in basic life support skills including CPR to general population including niche groups like cab drivers, traffic constables and school students in a big way. Latest example was the Continental Hospitals’ tie-up with Uber to train their cab drivers. The basic life-saving skill programme with Call Ambulance app saw 20 of them get trained in CPR early this month.
“More than the average common man on the road, drivers are more prone to see people with different morbidities and training them can be beneficial to many people around,” explained Dr Sowjanya P, head, Emergency Medicine, Continental Hospitals. In July, KIMS hospital conducted a special training session with Hyderabad Traffic Police on CPR. Meanwhile, Dr Shiv Kumar, who is chief cardiologist in Apollo Hospitals (Secunderabad) has lined up a special workshop for schoolchildren on Thursday.
STEPS in CPR
If the collapsed person does not respond to commands or if there is no breathing or if there is abnormal breathing, it could be concluded that the person has a cardiac arrest.
1. Chest compressions have to be started within 10 seconds.
2. “Push Hard and Push Fast” is the rule when performing chest compressions.
3. In conventional CPR, after performing 30 chest compressions, 2 times mouth-to-mouth breathing has to be given, which comprises one cycle.
4. Five cycles have to be completed in two minutes.