Who Can Give CPR? You Can — Here Is What You Need to Know
When someone's heart suddenly stops, every single minute matters. The chances of survival drop with each passing second. But here is the good news — you do not need to be a doctor to save a life. You just need to know CPR.
Dr. Nikhila Pachani, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Backbone Medicity Hospital, Rajkot, is spreading a simple but powerful message: anyone can give CPR.
What Is CPR?
CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. It is an emergency action you perform when a person's heart has stopped beating or they have stopped breathing normally. CPR keeps blood and oxygen moving through the body until medical help arrives.
How Do You Do It?
The basics of CPR are straightforward:
- Place both hands in the centre of the person's chest.
- Push down hard and fast — aim for 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute. That is roughly the beat of the song Stayin' Alive.
- Do not stop until an ambulance or trained help arrives.
Even if you have never been formally trained, emergency dispatch operators on the phone can guide you step by step in real time.
Who Should Learn CPR?
According to Dr. Pachani, CPR training is not just for healthcare workers. It is for everyone:
- Students in schools and colleges
- Employees in offices and industries
- Family members at home
- Individuals in every community across Rajkot and Gujarat
A cardiac arrest can happen anywhere — at home, at a wedding, on the street, or at work. Having even one person nearby who knows CPR can make the difference between life and death.
Why Does It Matter So Much?
Cardiac arrests outside of hospitals are common, and survival rates improve dramatically when bystander CPR is started quickly. Waiting for an ambulance without doing anything can reduce survival chances significantly. You — yes, you — can bridge that critical gap.
Dr. Pachani's message is clear: "Every minute counts. Learn CPR. Be the reason someone lives."
Take the First Step
Talk to your school, college, workplace, or local health centre about organising a CPR awareness or training session. It takes just a few hours to learn a skill that can last a lifetime — and save one too.
If you have concerns about your heart health or would like to know more about cardiac emergency preparedness, consider consulting a qualified cardiologist.