ASHLAND — Cardiac arrest or a heart attack can strike its victim at any given moment. My grandfather has been burdened with heart issues; he underwent a successful heart transplant back in 2010 at the age of 71.
Because of this, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to received hands-only CPR training at Ashland University’s Recreational Center back in October. I wanted to be absolutely prepared to help someone in case of an emergency.
CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and is the process of delivering chest compressions to manually simulate blood circulation and breathing to an individual who begins to suffer from cardiac arrest. The hands-only CPR training that I received educated me on the important steps to saving someone during these instances.
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests affect over 350,000 individuals annually in the U.S., with over 90% of those resulting in fatality. Another 200,000 individuals suffer from cardiac arrest in a hospital, with under 25% surviving the ordeal.
According to the American Heart Association, the number one reason that people do not give CPR to an unconscious individual is because they are afraid that they will do it wrong. Knowing what to do during an emergency can be the difference-maker in a life or death situation.
Some CPR is better than no CPR. Staying educated and practiced on proper CPR techniques is critical. Immediate action can more than double a victim’s chances of survival.
If someone you know needs CPR, it is paramount to adhere to the following steps:
- To be sure CPR is a necessity, tap on the individual and ask if they are okay.
- If there is no response or the victim shows a difficulty in breathing, immediately ask someone nearby to call 9-1-1. If you alone, you will need to call 9-1-1 by yourself. Stay on the phone until emergency responders arrive to the scene.
- With one hand on top of the other, begin giving compressions to the center of the victim’s chest. Push down continuously hard and fast; compressing the chest at least two inches and allowing the victim’s chest to rise back up after each push. Some individuals find it helpful to compress in rhythm to the well-known song “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees.
- Continue giving compressions until medical professionals arrive. If others are around to assist, you can take turns if you are tired. Don’t be afraid to push hard.
Rehearsing hands-free CPR and staying informed can be vital in saving someone’s life during an emergency. Visit the American Heart Association’s website for more information.
