Why Should I Learn CPR

Would you know what to do if a loved one collapsed suddenly in front of you? Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death in the world. CPR can be the difference between life and death. 

You Could Save A Life

 You might see a person suddenly collapse, lose consciousness, and stop breathing. The longer the body goes without circulation, the lower the chance of survival. By performing CPR, you are able to help the person’s blood keep circulating until an ambulance arrives and more advanced tools can be used. We know that the chances of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest increases significantly, by more than double, when CPR is started early. 

CPR is NOT Preformed Enough

Would you be surprised to learn that bystander CPR is done in less than half of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests?  When people are asked why they would not give CPR, a very common answer is that they have not learned CPR or concerns of doing harm to the person, doing harm to oneself, legal risks, or concerns about infection. These concerns often diminish once people learn proper CPR techniques. 

You Do Not Have To Do Mouth - to - Mouth

Another reason people report they do not perform CPR is because of concerns performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Hands Only CPR can be provided. 

Hands Only CPR is EASY

Hands-only CPR has been shown to be just as effective for many adults who experience sudden cardiac arrest. To perform hands-only CPR, place the heel of your hand on the center of the victim’s chest. Take your other hand and place it on top of the first, interlacing your fingers. Press down on the chest about two inches and release. You want to repeat this quickly, at least 100 times a minute. And don’t stop doing CPR until emergency services arrives at the scene – recent studies have found that people may have a better chance of surviving with normal brain function when CPR is continued up to 38 minutes or longer. There are many places to find online videos, as well as formal classes, to see CPR performed correctly. The goal is to find the learning technique that works best for you so that you are comfortable if you are in a situation where you can save a life.

What if someone in your home needed CPR

More than 85 percent of cardiac arrests take place at home. Since becoming a CPR Instructor I have heard quite a few stories of family members performing CPR on a loved one.  If you don’t know CPR, learn CPR and gain the confidence in knowing that if you are ever needed, you too can save a life!