Cardiac arrest, also known as sudden cardiac death, can be caused by myocardial infarction, excessive exercise, or overwork. Starting basic CPR within 4 minutes can achieve a survival rate of about 50%, but for every minute delayed, the survival rate decreases by 7-10%.
Symptom recognition: The patient suddenly collapses and does not respond to tapping or calling; observe the chest for movement to check for breathing (observation time should not exceed 10 seconds); check the carotid pulse to determine if there is a heartbeat (checking time should not exceed 10 seconds).
Response: After confirming cardiac arrest, immediately call for help and dial emergency services; start basic CPR within 4 minutes, including chest compressions, airway opening, and artificial respiration.
Airway obstruction by a foreign object is an emergency situation. If the airway is completely blocked, the patient will be unable to receive oxygen, and life-threatening consequences can occur within minutes.
Response: If you confirm that the patient has difficulty breathing or cannot make a sound, immediately call for help; perform the Heimlich maneuver by standing behind the patient, wrapping your arms around their waist, locating the spot two fingers above the navel, making a fist with your right hand and placing it at that spot, grasping your right hand with your left hand, and quickly thrusting upwards and inwards until the obstruction is expelled.
If the patient is alone, they should perform the same maneuver by pressing their abdomen over the back of a chair or another firm object to expel the obstruction.