How confident are you that if you suffer a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) moment that someone around you will be able to help?
If you’re concerned, you have reason to be according to statistics. Only 3.5 percent of people are trained in CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) annually. That percentage is even worse in rural areas.
CPR aids those who are not breathing, lack a pulse and are unconscious. Hands-only CPR — approximately 100 2-inch compressions per minute — is an effective method to keep blood circulating until professionals arrive. It also allows strangers to feel more comfortable performing CPR on strangers; many are worried about the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation technique.
It’s important to remember that each minute a person remains collapsed, survival rates decrease by 10 percent. In other words, CPR is extremely important the second a person suffers a SCA incident.
A study completed by Duke researchers found that the rate of bystander CPR knowledge has improved in the last four years (40 to 50 percent). However, the rates are still too low. U.S. residents who don’t have any physical impairment should learn how to perform hands-only CPR in case of any SCA incident that occurs near you. Oftentimes, a loved one may be the person who needs your knowledge when you least expect it.
Tips for performing hands-only CPR:
Call 9-1-1 immediately when you notice someone has suffered SCA.
Place your hands on the lower part of the breast bone.
Compress the chest approximately 2 inches.
Perform 100 to 120 compressions every minute.
Keep compressions going until professionals arrive to aid the individual.
Hands-only CPR is an effective CPR method due to the fact that there is already enough oxygen in the blood to last until emergency personnel arrive on scene. It should be noted that it is more effective with adults than children.
Learn more about Lifesaver Education’s CPR offerings in Los Angeles and around Southern California by visiting us online or by calling (626) 441-3406.
