REPORTAGE
First aid measures are more and more often practiced by witnesses before the firefighters arrive. A study presented Monday at the Congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) in Paris shows that the overall survival rate of athletes in cardiac arrest has increased by two-thirds, from 20% (in the period 2005-2010) to 60% (in the period 2011-2016). This trend is associated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation of professional or amateur athletes, the CPR, performed by witnesses (81% of RCP between 2011 and 2016 against only 46% between 2005 and 2010).
Thanks to this type of resuscitation, Christophe Leray was able to save last April the life of a 16 year old. This farmer, also coach of a small football club in Passais, in the Orne, intervened with the help of a friend when one of his players collapsed in full match, victim of discomfort heart. "I had followed a training with Social and Agricultural Mutuality in the 2000s," he says at the microphone of Europe 1. "What I learned really helped me, especially not to stress, to stay calm, and to do all that was necessary: call for help, get a defibrillator while a friend was doing a cardiac massage, "he says. "We have not wasted time, thanks to this training."
"There are no bad things to do"
Heart massage, using a defibrillator, mouth-to-mouth ... learning the actions that save is therefore effective and essential. Yet only 20% of French people hold a first aid diploma. A figure still too low even if France is slowly catching up.
At the Paris Seine Civil Protection, a dozen volunteers are trained each day to the degree of prevention and civic rescue level 1 (PSC1). Hands joined on the torso of a first aid mannequin, they learn with Audrey, trainer, to play down these essential gestures, which at first sight can impress, such as cardiac massage. "You have less than two minutes to call for help, less than three minutes to start your cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR There are no bad things to do, so even if I'm afraid of making a mistake it will always be a bonus compared to doing nothing at all, "she explains to her students.
>> READ ALSO - Heart massage: what are the actions that save?
Know how to react
You have to keep a pace of 100 to 120 pressures per minute to practice a good heart massage. Sweating, Camille exercises to restrain techniques of compression and mouth-to-mouth. "I've already asked myself the question: if something happens, what do I do? We live in a world where we need others. If we do not take care of others, everyone it loses, "she explains to Europe 1. For his part, Fernand has taken on his vacation time to learn how to use a defibrillator. "I saw it everywhere, and I did not even know what it was for," he admits. 'Today, I am able to save a life, and I am very proud of it.'