Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a simple skill which can be learned in a one day class from the American Red Cross. Mouth- to-mouth breathing and rhythmic chest compressions are used to supply oxygen to the brain and other vital organs. This can buy up to 20 minutes of time until advanced life support measures can be administered by EMS Department personnel. In thousands of cases every year, CPR from bystanders is credited as making the difference between life and death. Without CPR, a person with a heart attack will have a 1 in 20 chance of survival. If you perform CPR until an ambulance arrives, that person’s chance of survival will increase to 1 in 4. The payoff is very large.
The sooner CPR is started, the greater the chances for survival. Many people who have been trained in CPR are reluctant to administer it for fear of doing it wrong. While good CPR is better than bad CPR, bad CPR is a million times better than no CPR.
Many people are also concerned about the risk of AIDS and other infectious diseases when performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. This is a very valid concern which has to be weighed in each case individually. Most layperson CPR however, is performed on close friends or loved ones. The background health history and risk factors will usually be known to the rescuer.
CPR can not only be used when heart attacks strike, but may save victims of drowning, electrocution, suffocation and drug overdose. CPR not only saves lives, but provides peace of mind during and after an emergency. People often feel helpless when they witness a heart attack, but with CPR training, you will know what to do. Regardless of the outcome, you will know that every possible measure has been taken to assist the person in need. This can be very reassuring during an extremely difficult time.
Wellness Proposals