Final answer:
In the case of an unconscious person who may be having a heart attack, immediate action involves calling for emergency services, assessing the airway and breathing, and beginning high-quality chest compressions as part of CPR. If the victim is in water, they must be removed prior to CPR. Medical professionals in a hospital setting may use controlled hypothermia to reduce heart damage after cardiac arrest.
Step-by-step explanation:
Responding to an Unconscious Person Who May Be Having a Heart Attack
When you encounter a prisoner or any individual who is unconscious and might be experiencing a heart attack, the first step is to check for responsiveness and breathing. If the person is not responding and not breathing or only gasping, call for emergency medical services immediately. Then, as per cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) protocol, begin chest compressions. Position your hands on the sternum between the lines at T4 and T9 vertebrae and press at least 5 cm deep at a rate of about 100 compressions per minute, which can be synchronized with the beat of the song 'Staying Alive'.
If the situation involves a drowning victim, ensure that the person is removed from the water before starting CPR, as performing CPR is ineffective in the water. After bringing them to stable ground, initiate CPR immediately. It's important to remember that cases of cardiac arrest, where the heart stops beating, require prompt action because the chances of survival decrease with each passing minute without oxygen, especially after six minutes when brain cells begin to die. In certain cases, such as children who have been submerged in cold water, resuscitation efforts can be successful even after prolonged periods.
In a medical facility setting, after a cardiac arrest, some physicians might use controlled hypothermia to reduce further damage to the heart. This is a more advanced treatment option and should not be attempted in a pre-hospital setting.