Why CPR?

Would you know what to do if your spouse or family member suddenly collapsed?  CPR and/or First Aid are amazing skills to know when an emergency happens.  CPR is the most important emergency rescue skill you can learn, especially because nine out of ten cardiac arrest victims who do not receive immediate CPR do not survive.  Anyone can take their loved one to the hospital, but the first responder can make the difference between life and death.

Hands only CPR is simple to learn and is actually recommended for bystanders at the scene of an accident.  It involves delivering fast and hard chest compressions to someone whose heart has stopped or is not breathing.  With hands only CPR there is no mouth to mouth resuscitation needed only the compressions.  Studies have shown that the compressions are much more effective at keeping a victim alive than the breaths.  The compressions allow the blood to continue to flow to the brain to help prevent brain damage.

There are different ways to administer CPR depending on whether the victim is an infant or an adult, but the most important rule is to perform CPR until EMS arrives or until an AED can be used. 

First Aid is also a very useful tool even for just every day around the house.  You will learn how to handle burns, choking, heat strokes, minor cuts, and many other health concerns that can happen to us on a daily basis.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to step in and help someone who is in need and possibly in danger by simply taking time to learn new skills?  If so look up your local American Heart Association or Red Cross chapter and see about scheduling a class near you.  The next life you save could be that of a loved one.