Dr. Berin Lawrance, an esteemed anaesthesiologist at CMC Vellore, is stepping beyond his medical practice to champion a vital cause—empowering students with life-saving skills like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Recognizing the alarming rise in cardiac deaths in India, driven by a growing diabetic and hypertensive population, Dr. Lawrance is determined to tackle this escalating health crisis head-on. He firmly believes that equipping school and college students with CPR training can make a significant impact, enabling them to save lives when someone suddenly collapses.
In an exclusive conversation with The Interview World, Dr. Lawrance delves into the life support services he aims to provide. He outlines his strategic plans to broaden the reach of CPR-trained individuals, discusses additional life-saving techniques that could be popularized through public awareness, and emphasizes the critical role of engaging other stakeholders in this initiative. He also shares compelling insights into the potential number of lives that could be saved if CPR were widely administered to those who experience sudden cardiac arrest. Here are the key takeaways from his enlightening interview.
Q: Could you provide more details on the specific life support services you plan to offer?
A: Beyond my medical and professional expertise in anaesthesiology, I specialize in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), a critical intervention that must be performed immediately when someone collapses and has no pulse or is not breathing. CPR is divided into two categories: Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). While ACLS is designed for doctors and healthcare professionals, BLS is a fundamental skill that everyone, including laypeople, should know.
In several countries, knowing BLS is a prerequisite for various jobs, such as teaching or driving—essentially, any role that involves managing or caring for others. However, in India, this is not the case. Unfortunately, even within the medical community, aside from certain paramedics, many professionals lack confidence in performing BLS. Shockingly, the general public remains almost entirely unaware of these life-saving techniques.
This gap in knowledge is alarming, especially given that India is now the most populous country in the world. In emergency departments across the nation, many patients are brought in as “brought dead”—essentially, they arrive not breathing. If CPR is not administered within the first three minutes of cardiac arrest, the patient’s brain function begins to deteriorate rapidly. Even if they are revived after reaching the hospital, often 15-20 minutes later, the damage to their brain can be severe.
That’s where the concept of bystander CPR becomes crucial. If someone nearby—a bystander—can immediately start CPR and then call for an ambulance, the chances of preserving the patient’s brain function improve significantly. It’s a vital skill that could save countless lives if more people were trained to respond effectively in those critical moments.
Q: What strategies do you have in place to expand the reach of these trained individuals?
A: My primary goal is to focus on students because, in a decade, this can create a lasting impact. Instead of concentrating on various companies, I am deeply committed to educating school and college students, with a particular emphasis on those in schools. I believe that teaching concepts through songs or similar engaging methods can leave a long-lasting impression; repetition in this format ensures that students remember these lessons for life.
The approach I envision is a “train-the-trainer” model. I plan to recruit individuals, ideally from the paramedic community, although I’m open to anyone interested in this initiative. We’ll certify these trainers and equip them with the necessary skills. With this team, we will approach schools to begin structured training programs, ultimately embedding these lessons into the students’ daily learning experience.
Q: Beyond CPR, what other life-saving techniques can be promoted through public awareness?
A: Imagine someone collapsing in a crowded marketplace or a busy metro station. If a bystander, especially a student, is trained in CPR, they can immediately step in, administer aid, and potentially save a life. This swift intervention can make all the difference.
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by the alarming rise in diabetes and hypertension in India, which, in turn, has led to an increase in sudden cardiac arrests. Disturbingly, even young adults in their 30s and 40s are experiencing unexpected collapses. Given this trend, empowering the public with life-saving skills like CPR is not just beneficial—it’s essential. This initiative is, therefore, a critical step toward improving public health outcomes and enhancing community resilience.
Q: Do you plan to involve other stakeholders in this initiative?
A: I’m currently in the early stages of this initiative, discussing it with various stakeholders. Shockingly, there is a complete lack of data on this topic in India’s medical literature, particularly concerning schools. In other countries, you can find statistics—60% of school students are at least familiar with CPR, if not fully trained in its basics. Yet, in India, despite my extensive research, I have not found a single article addressing the awareness of Basic Life Support (BLS) among the school population. This gap highlights the urgent need for action to educate our students on life-saving skills.
Q: How many lives could potentially be saved if CPR is administered to the majority of people who experience sudden collapse?
A: I have a report that highlights the critical importance of early CPR. If CPR is administered within the first 5 minutes of a collapse, the chances of successful resuscitation are as high as 80%. However, as time passes, the likelihood of success decreases significantly. After 15 to 20 minutes, survival rates drop considerably. The key takeaway is that immediate action is vital—starting CPR as soon as possible is crucial to preserving brain function and, in turn, improving the chances of survival.
