National CPR/AED Awareness Week

5/30/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of West Riverside City would like to remind you that June 1- June 7 is National CPR and AED Awareness Week.

The resolution was created by the American Heart Association, along with the American Red Cross and the National Safety Council and was passed by congress in 2007.

Would you know what to do if someone needed help?

Every second counts in cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest claims thousands of lives every year. Knowing when and how to perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) can make the difference between life and death for someone suffering from cardiac arrest. The Red Cross recommends that households, businesses and schools receive training in CPR and use of an AED. This training can give them the knowledge and confidence to respond during an emergency situation with the skills that can save a life. Check with your town or the American Heart Association today to sign up for a course.

Life can change in a matter of minutes which is why we know the best way to expect the unexpected is to be prepared. We think CPR and First Aid training is important in the work place for many reasons:

• Having trained employees can make a substantial difference in your ability to maintain a safe work environment. They will be able to respond more quickly and effectively when medical emergencies occur.
• This training and knowledge provides a sense of security and promotes a more confident work environment.
• As staff becomes more prepared and responsive – they also become more aware of their surroundings and more likely to spot potential hazards. This inspires a ‘safety culture’.
• 25% of all emergency room visits can be avoided with basic first aid and CPR certification.
• Safety precautions and preparedness applies to ANY industry of ANY size. 
• There are many local resources that can help you get CPR and First Aid Certified such as The Red Cross

Statistics from our friends at HealthSafety.com

(SCA)

• Almost 300,000 casualties of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are treated each year in the U.S.
• Less than eight percent of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital survive.

CPR

• Less than one-third of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest casualties receive bystander CPR.
• Effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

• Unless CPR and defibrillation are provided within minutes of collapse, few attempts at resuscitation are successful.
• Even if CPR is performed, defibrillation with an AED is required to stop the abnormal rhythm and restore a normal heart rhythm.
• New technology has made AEDs simple and user-friendly. Clear audio and visual cues tell users what to do when using an AED and coach people through CPR. A shock is delivered only if the victim needs it.

From American Heart Association:  Why Learn Hands-Only CPR?

Cardiac arrest – an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and disrupts the ?ow of blood to the brain, lungs and other organs – is a leading cause of death. Each year, more than 350,000 EMS-assessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States. When a person has a cardiac arrest, survival depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby. According to the American Heart Association, about 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.

Read the rest of the fact sheet from American Heart Association

National CPR/AED Awareness Week

Training

If you are interested in taking a course to learn the lifesaving skills of CPR, first aid, and AED, use the Find A Course Tool to locate a Training Center near you.

Try a Blended Learning Course: Many AHA lifesaving training courses are available online via OnlineAHA and eLearning.Heart.org. Courses that involve only cognitive learning can be completed entirely online. For courses that teach CPR, students must complete an in-person skills practice and testing session with an AHA Instructor after they complete the online portion. The Instructor will evaluate the student's skills and upon successful completion of both portions of the course, the student will receive a course completion card, valid for two years. See more information on blended learning and eLearning training.

Red Cross training and certification meets the needs of workplace responders, professional rescuers, school staff and healthcare providers as well as the general public. Several courses are OSHA compliant. Check with your employer as to what class you need if you are taking training to fulfill a job requirement.

SERVPRO of West Riverside City encourages all to be the difference for someone they love.  Chances are, you could be trying to save the life of your child, a spouse a friend or a workmate.  If an emergency arises, don't hesitate to call 911!