Friday’s news reported that actor Michael Clarke Duncan went into full cardiac arrest. His girlfriend Omarosa Stalworth acted quickly and performed CPR until the paramedics arrived. Doctors say her efforts helped save his life.
25% of Americans report having been in a situation where someone needed CPR. God forbid, if someone suddenly collapsed in your presence, would you know what to do?
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) allows oxygenated blood to circulate to vital organs which can keep a person alive until more advanced procedures can treat the cardiac arrest. Full CPR involves a combination of rescue breaths and chest compressions. Confusion around what to do, counts, the order of steps, as well as safety concerns of being mouth to mouth sometimes immobilizes people and hinders action when seconds count.
In 2010, the American Heart Association updated their CPR guidelines to focus on the most helpful components of the process – immediate action and quality chest compressions. Hands Only CPR is an effective and simplified technique which involves no mouth to mouth contact.
The American Red Cross wants to educate 5 million people about hands-only CPR. Download their Hands Only CPR reference sheet, watch this 2 minute Hands Only CPR howcast and/or consider taking a course.
Get trained, be prepared and help spread word about this lifesaving technique.
Reference: The American Heart Association