MOUTH-TO-MOUTH?

Have you ever been first at the scene of an emergency? Netcare 911 can help, even before the ambulance arrives. The company’s new service puts you face-to-face with trained emergency healthcare providers who demonstrate and guide you through the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) technique until paramedics arrive.

Many of us are hesitant to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on strangers as we fear contracting disease, so it is good to know that this part isn’t considered necessary to save a life anymore. Instead, handsonly chest compressions are recommended. “Recent findings show ‘hands only’ CPR can be as effective as the traditional technique, involving giving the patient rescue breaths,” says Shalen Ramduth, Netcare 911’s operations director. When you need help on the scene, call 082 911. The coordinator at the other end of the line will immediately initiate the video calling process by sending you a link via SMS that connects to a live secure video platform. Click on the link to connect with the Netcare 911 emergency care providers. You will be able to see and hear each other, so the relevant CPR technique for an adult, child or an infant can be demonstrated to you, and you will be coached to do it correctly. By keeping the patient’s circulation going, you could save their life as you buy precious time to save the heart and brain, until paramedics are on scene to take over.