Pastor's Corner

October, 2003

Recently, I read an article on “How to survive a heart attack while alone” written by Dr. Daniel Rochman MD. I thought it would be beneficial for you to learn this survival skill.

“Let's say it's 6:15 p.m . and you're driving home (alone of course), after an unusually hard day on the job. You're really tired, upset and frustrated. Suddenly you start experiencing severe pain in your chest that starts to radiate out into your arm and up into your jaw. You are only about five miles from the hospital nearest your home. Unfortunately, though, you don't know if you'll be able to make it that far.

What can you do? You've been trained in CPR, but the guy that taught the course neglected to tell you how to perform it on yourself. Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, this article seemed to be in order. Without help, the person whose heart stops beating properly, and who begins to feel faint, has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness!

However, that person (victim) can help himself or herself by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. A cough must be repeated about every 2 seconds without let up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again. The deep breaths get much-needed oxygen down into the lungs, and the deep coughing cause muscular movements that squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The muscular squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it to regain its normal rhythm. By following these steps, most heart attack victims can get to a hospital.”

Of course, I don’t wish anyone to have to use this survival skill, and may not be fool-proof also, but knowing something that is so simple, yet has the possibility to save lives, is significant. In fact, there is another simple truth that will not only help you through this rugged life on earth, but also ensure your eternal dwelling. Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms . . . I will come back and take you with me that you also may be where I am.” It is a great promise by the Son of God. Unlike reviving from a heart attack, which one will eventually die, this promise provides an eternal security and is fool-proof also because the one who made this promise is the Origin of Life. The only way to embrace this promise is to believe in Him. I don’t want to sound too simplistic, but believing in Jesus means you have to accept that you can’t save yourself.

Before I sign off, I wish that none of you will have to use the technique to revive from a sudden heart attack, but I do wish all of you will believe in Jesus as your Personal Savior. For those who already have, continue to believe in Him that He can carry you through this rugged life on earth.

Pastor Larry