World First Aid Day (September 9): Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) and CPR Basics

What do you do in the event a cardiac arrest happens? Let’s walk through an example of a 9-1-1 operator coaching a bystander in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

911 OPERATOR: 911, what's your emergency?

CALLER: A male has collapsed and isn't breathing at the park! Please help!

911 OPERATOR: I'm here to help. Stay calm. Can you confirm that he is not breathing?

CALLER: Yes, they're not responding at all.

911 OPERATOR: If there is a defibrillator (AED) available, send someone to get it now, and tell me when you have it.

CALLER: Okay, done.

911 OPERATOR: Now place your hand on his forehead and your other hand under his neck, then tilt. Put your ear next to his mouth. Can you feel or hear any breathing? If not, now pinch his nose closed and completely cover his mouth with your mouth, then blow 2 regular breaths into the lungs each about 1 second. 

CALLER: Okay, done.

911 OPERATOR: Alright, I'm going to guide you through performing CPR. Start by laying him flat on his back on a firm surface.

CALLER: Okay, done.

911 OPERATOR: Place the heel of your hand on the center of his chest, right between the nipples.

CALLER: Got it.

911 OPERATOR: Now, interlock your fingers and keep your arms straight. Press down hard and fast, at least 2 inches deep into the chest. Pump at a rate of about 100 to 120 compressions per minute.

CALLER: Okay, I'm doing the compressions.

911 OPERATOR: Good job. Let the chest rise completely between compressions. Now, after 30 compressions, give two rescue breaths. 

CALLER: I did the breaths.

911 OPERATOR: Keep alternating 30 compressions and 2 breaths. 

CALLER: Alright, I'll keep going.

911 OPERATOR: You're doing great. Keep doing it over and over, don’t give up. This will keep him going until the paramedics arrive. Remember, the goal is to keep the blood circulating until professional help takes over.

CALLER: Thank you for guiding me through this.

911 OPERATOR: You're welcome. Help is on the way. Keep up the good work and stay strong.

About once every 7 hours, someone in Manitoba experiences Sudden Cardiac Death. Most of these events are out of hospital. Survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) range from 5% to 10%. The best survival rates are in areas with advanced emergency care and frequent bystander intervention. Some regions report rates up to 20% or more. Among survivors, 70% to 90% have a good neurological status. Crucially, immediate bystander CPR and early defibrillation significantly improve both survival and neurological outcomes.