CPR and using a defibrillator (AED)

When the heart stops (cardiac arrest), every minute without CPR lowers the chance of survival. Dubai sees about 1,600 cardiac arrests a year, with survival around 5 percent, which is why the city is training residents and installing defibrillators. Hands-only CPR is something you can learn today.

Recognise cardiac arrest

• The person is unresponsive: no reaction when you gently shake their shoulders and ask loudly, 'Are you OK?'
• Open the airway with head tilt and chin lift, then check breathing for up to 10 seconds.
• If they are not breathing, or only making occasional irregular gasps, treat it as cardiac arrest.
• Shout for help. Have a helper call 998 while you start CPR; if you are alone, call on speakerphone so you can start straight away.
• St John Ambulance: do not leave the casualty to look for a defibrillator yourself. Send a helper for one.

Hands-only CPR, step by step

• If it is safe, move them onto their back on a firm surface.
• Kneel beside them. Put the heel of one hand on the middle of the chest and your other hand on top.
• Keep your arms straight with your shoulders directly over your hands.
• Press straight down about 5 to 6 cm, then let the chest come back up fully before the next push. Resuscitation Council UK: at least 5 cm but not more than 6 cm.
• Push at 100 to 120 compressions per minute, with as few pauses as possible.
• If you are not trained in rescue breaths, or are unwilling to give them, give continuous chest compressions without stopping.

Rescue breaths (30:2), if trained and willing

• After 30 compressions, open the airway with head tilt and chin lift and pinch the soft part of the nose closed.
• Seal your mouth over theirs and blow steadily for about one second until the chest rises.
• Let the chest fall, then give a second breath.
• Make no more than two attempts, then return straight to 30 compressions even if the breaths did not go in.
• Keep repeating 30 compressions and 2 breaths.

Using an AED (defibrillator)

• Switch it on as soon as it arrives and follow its spoken instructions; AEDs are designed for untrained people.
• Have a helper expose the chest (remove or cut clothing) and dry it if it is wet.
• Adult pads: one on the upper right chest below the collarbone, the other on the lower left side below the armpit. Keep compressions going while the pads go on.
• When the AED analyses the heart rhythm, make sure no one is touching the person.
• If a shock is advised, make everyone stand clear and press the shock button when told (fully automatic models shock by themselves).
• After the shock, or if no shock is advised, continue CPR for two minutes until the AED reanalyses.
• If they start breathing normally, coughing or speaking, put them in the recovery position and leave the pads attached.

Where to find AEDs in the UAE

• St John Ambulance notes AEDs are often found in workplaces, schools, gyms and other public areas.
• Dubai's 'Heart Safe City' initiative (launched in 2022 by the Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Police and DCAS) reported 3,200 AEDs already provided, in places such as malls, airports and community centres.
• That plan aimed to provide 10,000 AEDs and train over 100,000 people in CPR over five years.
• If you do not know where the nearest AED is, the 998 call handler can help direct you.
• Notice where the AED boxes are at your school, gym and local mall so you know before you need one.

When to stop

• Keep going until emergency help arrives and takes over.
• Stop if the person starts breathing normally.
• Pause when the defibrillator is ready to analyse or shock.
• CPR is exhausting: if there is a helper, swap every one to two minutes to keep compressions effective.