Learning CPR is real voluntary work: Dr K K Aggarwal

“Youth festival held at Delhi’s Zakir Hussain college highlighted the importance of this technique”

New Delhi, February 21, 2018:

A survey conducted by an online doctor consultation platform indicates that about 98% of the country’s population is not trained in the basic life-saving technique of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). CPR is the most crucial and basic procedure to save a life in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest.

In line with this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Immediate Past National President Indian Medical Association (IMA), gave a comprehensive talk at the Youth Festival held in Zakir Hussain College, New Delhi. Dr Aggarwal is a Gold Medallist and Limca Book of record holder in CPR 10.

Speaking about CPR and the need for it, Dr K K Aggarwal, who is also the Vice President of CMAAO, said, “Zakir Hussain college should aim to become the first college in the city with 100% CPR training of all the students. Learning this technique amounts to real voluntary work as doctors may not be able to reach the victim within the first 10 minutes. It, therefore, becomes the duty and responsibility of bystanders to save lives. All students under the banner of NSS should also learn CPR.”

Other dignitaries present at the event included Mr Sulekh Chandra, Principal, Zakir Hussain College; Mr Mukesh Kumar Jain, Associate Professor, Zakir Hussain College; and Dr Virendra Mishra, Director, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan.

Adding further, Dr Virendra Mishra, said, “The two pillars of community service include meaningful engagement and mindful participation. Learning the basics of CPR is community service at its best as it can help avert mortality through timely assistance, before medical help arrives.”

The CPR 10 Mantra is as follows: Within 10 minutes of cardiac arrest (earlier the better) for the next 10 minutes at least, compress the centre of the chest with a speed of 100 compressions per minute (10×10)”. CPR 10 is easy to learn and easy to do and one does not need to be a doctor or be certified in this technique to do CPR.