Knowing CPR can be the difference between life and death if you witness a cardiac emergency. Although 65% of Americans say they’ve received CPR training, only 18% are up-to-date on their training according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving skill in which a person administers rapid chest compressions at roughly 100 beats per minute (BPM). This may involve providing mouth-to-mouth ventilation, though the recommendation is that by-standers only administer chest compressions without breaths (on adults). Though we might expect to use CPR in public spaces like airports and music festivals, it’s important to note that 4 out of 5 cardiac arrests (heart attacks) outside of the hospital happen at home. This means you’d be more likely to use your CPR skills on a loved one rather than a stranger.
CPR training directly contributes to community safety by creating a network of potential lifesavers who are trained to respond during a cardiac emergency. Getting trained will also help you break out of the common phenomenon of by-stander paralysis- this is when an emergency occurs but you don’t know what to do, so you don’t do anything. CPR training will give you the tools you need to address an emergency when no one else is willing or able. When more people get trained, there are more people that are equipped to handle emergencies like these throughout the community, leading to a safer environment where members are confident that by-standers can help in even worst-case scenarios. A well-trained community is ready to support its members and administer life-saving techniques when the worst happens.
CPR is relatively simple, let’s go over the basic structure of performing CPR:
- Look for the signs of a cardiac emergency - collapse, no pulse, no breathing, not responding.
- Call 9-1-1 or direct someone to call while you administer CPR.
- Lay the victim on their back, open their mouth, and ensure the airway is clear.
- Perform 30 chest compressions at about 100 BPM (or to the beat of “Staying Alive” by the BeeGees).
- Deliver 2 rescue breaths by forming a seal between your mouths and watching for the chest to rise. If the chest does not rise, tilt their head back and try again.
- Alternate steps 3 & 4 until first-responders arrive.
Now that you’ve read these steps, you’re ready to perform CPR in a pinch. However, you might not be confident in your ability after reading a short article. In-person training improves your confidence by a lot since you get to practice with realistic manikins while receiving direction from a professional AHA-certified instructor. Other techniques like the Heimlich maneuver and using an AED are also life-savers in situations where a person is choking or isn’t responding to CPR.
You can get CPR training at Zenith Career Services in Stockton or Bakersfield! Give us a call at 209-323-2577 (Stockton) or 661-479-7788 (Bakersfield) or submit a contact form to schedule your class.
