FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• What is heart massage? …more

  During heart massage, you press down firmly on the center of the rib cage. When you do this, it makes the blood circulate. Because if the heart isn’t beating, then there’s no blood circulating. To get the bloodstream moving, you have to press the breastbone downward by 5–6 centimeters twice a second (100–120 times a minute).  

• What are the important things to do during heart massage?…more

  When you see someone collapsing and becoming motionless, it’s important to follow these three steps:
  
  1. Check: :is the person unconscious, are they not breathing or not breathing normally?
  2. Call: dial 112 or get someone else to call the emergency services.
  3. Compress: : start doing heart massage, pressing down firmly and quickly in the centre of the chest. Don’t stop until help arrives.
   

• Why is heart massage important?…more
  

  Even when someone isn’t breathing any more, there’s still some oxygen left in the blood. When you keep pressing down on the breastbone (100–120 times a minute), it makes the blood circulate in the body again and supplies the brain and other cells with the oxygen needed to stay alive. Starting heart massage straight away means that valuable time can be gained until paramedics arrive to provide professional help.

• When should I stop doing the heart massage?…more
  

  Keep on doing the compressions until the paramedics arrive and can take over. Because if you stop pressing, the blood will stop circulating and the cells will no longer be getting any oxygen. Keeping the supply of oxygen constant stops the cells from dying!

• Does heart massage increase the person’s chances of surviving?…more
  

  Yes. Starting heart massage straight away doubles or trebles the person’s chances of surviving.

• What sort of people are able to carry out heart massage? …more
  

  Anybody can do it. There isn’t anything you can do wrong.

• Does heart massage cause pain?…more
  

  Someone who’s unconscious doesn’t feel any pain. A few patients say they have some chest pain after they’ve recovered consciousness. But that’s a pretty small price to pay for having their lives saved.

• Is mouth-to-mouth ventilation necessary?…more
  

  If you’ve had some training in mouth-to-mouth ventilation, you should do this as well as the heart massage — at a ratio of 30 heart compressions to two ventilations. If not, then concentrate on heart massage. That’s already doing a lot of good!

• Do you have to open the person’s clothing at the neck?…more
  

  Opening a stranger’s clothing to expose the chest may make you feel uncomfortable. But remember: it’s a matter of life and death. The crucial point is to make sure you’re applying the heart compressions at the right point. Being able to see where you’re applying the pressure can be a help.