Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides. Lao Tzu
Have you ever been in a situation where you meet an unconscious person and you need to call a doctor but lo and behold there is none nearby. Now there are many ways to know if the person is alive. These simple and fast steps can tell you if the person is still alive in the majority of the cases and will come handy one day. It will help you start Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately if warranted.
Let’s look at the steps:
Breathing
When there is no breathing, oxygen flow to heart and body rapidly decrease. Irreversible brain damage begins within 3-6mins in the absence of oxygen.
TIP
Check breathing: if you can’t see the movement of the chest, take your ear to his nose and attempt listening.
Check breathing: if you can’t see the movement of the chest, take your ear to his nose and attempt listening.
Heartbeat
This means there is no blood flow to organs of the body because the central pump (heart) is shut down. More than 95% of Sudden Cardiac Arrest patients die within 5minutes.
TIPS
Check pulse: You should use the tip of your index and middle finger. Requires practising and you don’t need to be a professional to know these 2 below:
Radial artery pulse: press against the bone (not too much) just below the wrist and the line that continues with the index finger.
Internal Carotid Artery (ICA) pulse: ICA sends blood to the brain. Press just below the jaw angle.
Pupils
Pupils are the dark central part of the eye. When wide open or dilated in someone without the above 2, it usually means that the person may not be alive especially when they do not constrict to light.
TIP
In an unconscious person, the simplest way to know what’s up with the brain is to check for reactive pupils.
This does not mean you should confirm death; you need a professional for that. Now you have learned, it’s time to practise.
3 Fast Ways To Know If Someone Is Still Alive was written by Dr. Nnamdi Elenwoke
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