DOH encourages every Filipino to learn how to conduct CPR

MANILA — On National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Day, the Department of Health (DOH) is calling on all Filipinos to learn how to conduct CPR, which the agency dubbed as a "critical life saving skill" and a "powerful tool to become first responders in an emergency where every second counts."

One does not have to be a medical personnel to learn how to do CPR, according to the DOH and medical experts present during a media forum on Wednesday.

They explained that CPR can be applied to someone under cardiac arrest or one whose heart has stopped beating, or cannot breathe.

"Gusto po natin na paramihin ang mga Pilipino na marunong gumawa ng ating cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Kung kaya po lahat ng mga may kaya na — siyempre, iyong mga baby hindi pa nila kaya — pero iyong mga adults na kaya ng mag-CPR, sana po matuto na tayo," Health spokesperson Asec. Albert Domingo told members of the media, who also participated in the CPR training.

(We want to increase the number of Filipinos who know how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Everyone who is able to—of course, babies cannot do it yet—but adults who can perform CPR should learn it.)

Domingo said they are working together with other agencies and organizations to train more people for CPR.

"Kaakibat natin ang Department of Education, na iyon pong nasabi nila nasa curriculum na (CPR training). And also iyong ating sa DOH, iyong Health Emergency Management Bureau na patuloy po na nagbibigay ng trainings. Kasama ang ating Philippine Red Cross na magbibigay rin ng mga trainings nang nalibre, na pwede nating puntahan at matututunan natin ang tamang paraan ng paggawa ng CPR," he shared.

(We are working with the Department of Education, which has included CPR training in the curriculum. Additionally, the Department of Health’s Health Emergency Management Bureau continues to provide training. The Philippine Red Cross is also offering free training sessions that we can attend to learn the proper way to perform CPR.)

According to the American Red Cross, proper CPR is as follows:

• • Hand position: Two hands centered on the chest
• • Body position: Shoulders directly over hands; elbows locked
• • Depth: At least 2 inches
• • Rate: 100 to 120 per minute
• • Allow chest to return to normal position after each compression

Dr. Jeremy Cordero, President of the Philippine College of Emergency Medicine, said it would help if the responder could think of an upbeat music to fulfill the 100 to 120 per minute rate.

Doctors explained CPR can be conducted until the patient becomes responsive, but the responder can check every two minutes for signs of life.

They also said it is common to inflict injuries during CPR like skeletal injuries, but what is more important during a cardiac arrest is to get the heart beating again.

"Nabe-break iyong ribs or may skeletal injury, o kaya may breastbone injuries or breakage... Magpa-train tayo, pero practice makes perfect... Kasi skills iyan at technique ang kailangan dyan," Dr. Gwendolyn Pang, Secretary General of the Philippine Red Cross, said during the press conference.

(There may be times when ribs are breaking or there are skeletal injuries, or breastbone injuries or fractures. It is important to get trained, but remember that practice makes perfect. CPR requires skill and technique.)

”There are training naman po para sa laymen... para hindi magkaroon ng hesitation o kaya hindi ma-intimidate. Kasi, 'Ako hindi naman ako medical practioner. Tapos nagpapa-train ako ng first aid?' Hindi po iyon. Everyone of us, if we're empowered, we can actually have that skills and save lives.”

(There are training programs designed for laymen to ensure they do not feel hesitant or intimidated. Even if you are not a medical practitioner, you can still learn first aid and CPR. Everyone of us, if we're empowered, we can actually have that skills and save lives.)

Meantime, Dr. Rodney Jimenez, president of the Philippine Heart Association, said a risk factor of cardiac arrest includes heart attack, which can be caused by hypertension, diabetes, lack of exercise, high cholesterol, smoking/vaping, lack of sleep, and too much stress.

The DOH-Health Emergency Management Bureau, Philippine Heart Association, and Philippine Red Cross are conducting free CPR trainings nationwide.