Did you know that June 1-7 is National CPR and AED Awareness Week? In 2007, the American Heart Association worked with the American Red Cross and the National Safety Council to designate this week. Its purpose is to bring attention to how more lives could be saved if more Americans knew CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). About 70% of cardiac arrests that happen outside a hospital happen at home. That means that if you are called on to give CPR in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you love – a spouse, partner, child, or parent. What if it were them?
According to the American Red Cross, more than 350,000 people experience cardiac arrest each year in the United States. A cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating or beats too ineffectively to circulate blood to the brain and other vital organs. When a person has a cardiac arrest, every second counts, and their survival depends on immediately getting CPR from someone nearby. Almost 90% of people who suffer cardiac arrests die. However, CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.
Most Americans – about 70 percent – say they feel helpless to act during a cardiac emergency because they don’t know how to administer CPR or they’re afraid of hurting the victim. If you feel that way, please take a moment to watch this one minute video from the American Heart Association and learn the two simple steps of hands-only CPR.
If you witness a teen or adult suddenly collapse, the first step is to call 9-1-1 or direct someone else to do so, and the second step is to push hard and fast in the center of the chest until help arrives. When pushing, you can use the song “Stayin’ Alive” for reference, as it has the same tempo as the ideal rate of chest compressions during CPR.
If you are interested in learning more about how to perform CPR and use an AED, visit the American Red Cross website to search for trainings available online or near you.
Written by Jenny Lobb, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Franklin County
Reviewed by: Alexus Masterson, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Muskingum County
Sources:
American Heart Association. CPR & AED Awareness Week. https://cpr.heart.org/en/training-programs/cpr-and-aed-awareness/cpr-and-aed-awareness-week
American Red Cross (2021). CPR/AED Awareness Week: Every Second Counts. https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2021/cpr-aed-awareness-week-every-second-counts.html