Mumbai: To handle medical emergencies like cardiac arrest, two leading hospitals have decided to train auto-rickshaw and bus drivers in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the hospitals said.

According to medical experts, CPR is a procedure that combines chest compressions and artificial ventilation to maintain circulatory flow and oxygenation during cardiac arrest, leading to improved survival and neurological outcomes.

The initiative has been started ahead of the World Heart Day by Wockhardt hospital and SRV hospital -- following the rise in number of instant deaths due to cardiac arrest. Health Experts claim that one person died every 10 seconds due to cardiac arrest in India.

During the campaign, Wockhardt hospital will train over 2,000 bus drivers working with BEST in Mumbai while SRV Hospital will train over 500 auto-rickshaw drivers.

"Every minute that goes by during a cardiac arrest without CPR decreases a patient's chances of survival by 10 per cent," said Parag Rindani at Wockhardt Hospital.

He said that changes in lifestyle, stress and high blood pressure were the leading factors of heart attack. Hence, it was vital that everyone must know at least basic CPR.

According to doctors, one of the reasons behind choosing bus drivers and auto-rickshaw drivers for the campaign was that their job involves too much stress and pressure and they were highly susceptible to high blood pressure.

At the same time, they witness the highest medical emergencies.

Abhay Vispute, Medical Director SRV Hospital, said: "If a victim of accident is given life support and rushed to a hospital with established trauma care, within the golden hour, it is believed at least 8 out of 10 who would normally die can be saved."