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When There’s an Emergency
Why You Should Know CPRResuscitation saves lives—so what are you waiting for?If someone close to you complained of chest pain, then collapsed and stopped breathing, would you know what to do? You would if you’d taken a course in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). This lifesaving technique teaches you to identify and respond to cardiac arrest and other life-threatening conditions until help arrives.Cardiac arrest can occur during a heart attack when an artery of the heart is blocked, depriving it of blood and oxygen. The heart then quivers, a condition called ventricular fibrillation that causes death in six to 10 minutes unless the heart receives CPR and/or an electrical shock. Ventricular fibrillation kills about 250,000 Americans each year, usually in the home, business or a public place, says Kevin Correll, community program director of the American Heart Association’s Lehigh Valley chapter. “The national survival rate for cardiac arrest is just 5 percent,” Correll says. “But it improves dramatically in places where people are trained in CPR or automated external defibrillators (AED) are readily available.” CPR combines mouth-to-mouth breathing with chest compression. “The purpose is to supply oxygen until more advanced help arrives, extending the patient’s ability to survive,” says William Zajdel, D.O., medical director of AED at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “Every minute without CPR or defibrillation decreases the chance of survival by 8 to 10 percent.” If you haven’t learned CPR, you can take any of a variety of courses on how to rescue adults, children or infants. They’re offered throughout the community, and advanced training is available for health professionals. The basic adult course takes just a few hours, including video instruction and hands-on teaching with a mannequin. You also learn how to help someone who is choking. After passing a short written test, you’re certified—and you’ll only need a brief refresher course every two years. Along with your certification card you’ll get a face shield, a thin, ventilated plastic barrier to lay over the victim’s mouth before giving rescue breaths. “Although CPR carries almost no risk of infection with HIV or hepatitis, many people feel better about helping a stranger if they can use a shield,” Zajdel says. What’s a Defibrillator?Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are portable devices used to shock the heart back to a normal rhythm. They’re attached with two adhesive pads and can analyze the heart’s electrical activity to determine if a shock is needed. AEDs are carried by emergency medical technicians and in many fire and police vehicles. Now, more and more malls, airports and other public places are making this vital service available.
Want to Know More? To sign up for a CPR class.
Call 610-402-CARE. This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
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