How to save someone from a cardiac arrest? Life-saving steps

Health And Wellness November 06, 2025

 




How to Save Someone from a Cardiac Arrest? Life-Saving Steps Everyone Should Know

Cardiac arrest doesn’t just happen in hospitals. It strikes in homes, workplaces, gyms, markets, on the road—anywhere, at any moment. What makes it frightening is its speed: a person can collapse, stop breathing, and lose consciousness within seconds. But what many people don’t realize is this:

✅ A life can be saved in under 3 minutes if someone nearby takes the right steps.
✅ Bystander CPR can double or triple the chances of survival.

You don’t need to be a doctor.
You don’t need medical training.
You just need to act—fast and confidently.

This guide will walk you through the life-saving steps, written in simple language so anyone can understand and use them in an emergency.

✅ What Is Cardiac Arrest? (In Simple Words)

Cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops beating. This is different from a heart attack.
A heart attack is a “circulation problem” — a blocked artery.
A cardiac arrest is an “electrical problem” — the heart stops pumping.

If the heart stops, oxygen stops reaching the brain.
Within 4–6 minutes, brain damage begins.
Within 10 minutes, survival becomes unlikely.

That’s why immediate action is crucial.

✅ Life-Saving Steps: What to Do if Someone Has a Cardiac Arrest

✅ Step 1: Check if the Person Is Responsive

Gently tap their shoulder and shout:

  • “Are you okay?”

  • “Can you hear me?”

If there’s no response and the person looks unconscious, you must act immediately.

Check breathing:

  • Look for chest movement

  • Listen for breath sounds

  • Feel for airflow

If they are not breathing or are gasping strangely, assume cardiac arrest.

✅ Step 2: Call Emergency Services

Dial your emergency number (100/108/112 depending on country).
If others are around, point at someone and say:

👉 “You, call an ambulance!”
👉 “You, bring an AED if available!”

Clear instructions prevent confusion.

✅ Step 3: Start CPR Immediately (The Most Important Step)

If the person is not breathing normally, start chest compressions.

✅ How to do CPR correctly:

  1. Place your hands in the center of the chest

  2. Interlock your fingers

  3. Keep your elbows straight

  4. Push hard and fast

✅ CPR rhythm:

  • 100–120 compressions per minute
    (Same beat as the songs “Stayin’ Alive” or “Baby Shark”)

✅ Compression depth:

  • Adults: 2 inches (5 cm)

  • Let the chest fully rise between compressions

✅ Don’t stop unless:

  • The person starts breathing

  • A medical team takes over

  • You physically cannot continue

Your CPR is the heartbeat they don’t have.

✅ Step 4: Use an AED (If Available)

An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is a small device that gives an electric shock to restart the heart.

You’ll find AEDs in:

  • Airports

  • Malls

  • Gyms

  • Schools

  • Offices

  • Public buildings

Even if you’ve never used one, don’t worry — AEDs talk you through every step.

✅ How to use it:

  1. Turn it on

  2. Stick the pads exactly as shown in the diagrams

  3. Step back when the machine says “Clear!”

  4. Shock if advised

Then continue CPR until help arrives.

✅ Step 5: Continue CPR Until Help Takes Over

CPR is exhausting, but every second matters.

If someone else is present:

  • Rotate every 2 minutes

  • Maintain the rhythm

  • Keep compressions strong and consistent

With quick CPR + AED use, survival can increase up to 70%.

✅ What NOT to Do During Cardiac Arrest

❌ Don’t splash water on the person
❌ Don’t shake them violently
❌ Don’t try to make them drink water
❌ Don’t wait to “see if they wake up”
❌ Don’t waste time checking the pulse if unsure

Reaction time is everything.

✅ Why Most People Don’t Help—And Why You Should

Many bystanders freeze because they fear:

  • Doing CPR wrong

  • Being held responsible

  • Hurting the victim

But studies show this truth:

✅ A person is more likely to survive with imperfect CPR than with no CPR.

Even if you break a rib, the person will thank you later — because you saved their life.

✅ Signs Someone Is Going Into Cardiac Arrest

Learn the warning signs so you can react fast:

  • Sudden collapse

  • No breathing or abnormal gasping

  • Unresponsive

  • No pulse (if you can check)

  • Seizure-like movements

  • Chest discomfort right before collapse

If you see these, treat it as an emergency.

✅ What to Do After the Person Regains Consciousness

If CPR works and they start breathing:

✅ Put them in the recovery position

  • Turn them on their side

  • Keep airway open

  • Check breathing continuously

✅ Never let them stand or walk
✅ Stay with them until medical help arrives

✅ How You Can Prepare Yourself Before an Emergency

You don’t need formal training, but these steps increase confidence:

✅ Take a CPR class

Offered by hospitals, Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, and safety organizations.

✅ Know your local emergency numbers

Write them down or save them in your phone.

✅ Locate AEDs in places you visit regularly

Gyms, offices, schools, malls.

✅ Teach your family—especially kids

Even a teenager can save a life.

✅ Final Thoughts: A Few Minutes Can Change a Life

Cardiac arrest is unpredictable, but your response doesn’t have to be.
You have the power to save a life — a stranger’s, a friend’s, or even a family member’s — with just your hands and courage.

Every minute without CPR reduces survival chances by 10%.
Every minute with CPR increases hope.

If you remember only three things, let them be:

✅ Call for help
✅ Start CPR immediately
✅ Use an AED if available

You could be the reason someone gets a second chance at life. 



FAQs: 

1. What is the first thing you should do if someone collapses suddenly?

The very first step is to check if the person is responsive and breathing. Tap their shoulder, shout to them, and observe their chest for movement. If they are unresponsive and not breathing normally, treat it as a cardiac arrest and act immediately.

2. When should you start CPR?

You should start CPR right away if the person is not breathing or is only gasping. Every minute without CPR decreases their chance of survival. Doing something is always better than doing nothing.

3. How do I perform CPR correctly?

Place both hands on the center of the chest and push hard and fast at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. Aim for a depth of about 2 inches (5 cm). Allow the chest to rise completely between compressions and continue until help arrives.

4. What is an AED and how do I use it?

An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is a device that gives an electric shock to restart the heart. It provides voice instructions, so even untrained people can use it. Simply turn it on, attach the pads as shown, and follow the prompts.

5. Is cardiac arrest the same as a heart attack?

No. A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked, but the heart usually keeps beating. Cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops beating, causing instant collapse and loss of consciousness. However, a severe heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest.

6. Can I hurt someone by doing CPR?

You might accidentally crack a rib, but that is not harmful compared to cardiac arrest. Saving a life is more important, and CPR is almost always safe and necessary in an emergency.

7. Should I give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation?

Hands-only CPR (chest compressions only) is recommended for most people, especially untrained rescuers. Mouth-to-mouth is needed mainly for drowning victims, children, or respiratory emergencies.

8. What should I not do during a cardiac arrest?

Do NOT splash water, slap the person, shake them, or try to make them drink anything. Never wait for them to “wake up.” Immediate CPR and calling emergency services are the only correct steps.

9. What happens if the person starts breathing again?

If they regain breathing, place them in the recovery position—on their side with their airway open. Stay with them and monitor their breathing until medical help arrives.

10. Can anyone learn CPR?

Absolutely. CPR is simple and can be learned by people of all ages. Many organizations offer short classes, and even a few minutes of training can equip you to save a life.

11. How long should I continue CPR?

Continue CPR until:
✅ The person starts breathing
✅ Emergency responders take over
✅ An AED directs you to stop
✅ You are physically unable to continue

Stopping too early can reduce the person’s chance of survival.

12. What are the chances of surviving cardiac arrest?

Survival depends on how quickly CPR and defibrillation are started. With fast bystander CPR, a person’s chance of survival can double or even triple.

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