India : Around 600 citizens participated in a hands-on Basic Life Support (BLS) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training programme organised by the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM), Mumbai City Branch, at Mewar Bhawan, Vashi. Held with Swasthya Samiti Mewar Sangh Mumbai and hospitals across Mumbai, the CODE LIFE public awareness drive focused on helping people recognise emergencies and respond before professional medical assistance arrives.
The programme marks the National Critical Care Day, observed on 9 October, celebrating 33 years of ISCCM under the theme “Critical Care at the Community Doorstep”. Through practical demonstrations, participants learnt basic emergency response techniques and how to act when someone suddenly collapses or becomes unresponsive. The initiative carried the message “Code Life: Learn it. Save it. Protect it.”
Indian research highlights the need for such training. A 2021 study published in the Indian Heart Journal, involving 205 patients who experienced cardiac arrest outside hospital, found that only 9.8% received CPR from bystanders. The 2017 North Indian CARO study, involving 80 patients, reported a bystander CPR rate of 1.3%, with 92.5% of arrests occurring at home. Although these are individual hospital findings rather than national estimates, they underline the importance of training family members and communities. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
“For 33 years, ISCCM has raised standards inside our ICUs. National Critical Care Day takes that care to the community’s doorstep. A citizen who can give CPR or spot a stroke is the first link in saving a life,” said Dr. Indraneel Raut, Chairperson, ISCCM Mumbai Branch.
Dr. Prashant Borade, representing the ISCCM Mumbai Branch Executive Committee, Says “Understanding when CPR is needed is essential. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, while cardiac arrest means the heart has stopped pumping effectively. A heart attack can trigger cardiac arrest, but CPR is not required simply because a conscious person has chest pain. If someone becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally, including only gasping, bystanders should call emergency services and begin CPR. Early action helps maintain circulation while medical help is on its way”. cpr.heart.org
“CODE LIFE stands for Commitment, Outreach, Dedication and Empowerment. We want every participant to leave confident to save a life, and to pass that skill on to family and neighbours,” said Dr. Mehul Shah, Secretary, ISCCM Mumbai Branch.
Dr. Borade further said, “In an emergency, waiting for medical help is not the only option available to us. The people who are already at the scene can often be the first responders.” He emphasised that recognising an emergency, calling for help and starting CPR correctly can potentially make a critical difference.
The programme also covered early stroke warning signs, organ donation awareness and pledging, responsible antibiotic use to combat antimicrobial resistance, and keeping adult vaccinations updated. By bringing practical training into a community setting, CODE LIFE encourages citizens to become better prepared to help during emergencies at home, at work and in public spaces.
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