Two Simple Steps to Help Save a Life
What does it take to save a life? CPR, or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, is a simple two-step process to save the life of someone whose heart has stopped beating (cardiac arrest) or someone who has stopped breathing.
Performing immediate CPR on someone experiencing cardiac arrest can triple their chances of survival, according to the American Heart Association.
For the more than 350,000 cardiac arrests that occur each year in the U.S., immediate CPR from someone nearby is virtually the only chance those individuals have for survival unless they're already in a hospital or care facility.
If you're ever in a situation where you need to perform CPR, familiarizing yourself with hands-only CPR is the best way to ensure you're ready should an emergency occur.
Two Steps to Save a Life
For hands-only CPR, it only takes two steps to save a life.
Hands-only CPR has two simple steps:
Call 911 if you see someone suddenly collapse.
With one hand over the other, begin pushing hard and fast in the center of the person's chest at a steady rate of 100-120 beats per minute.
If you're not sure how fast 100-120 beats per minute is, there are a number of popular songs that have a similar beat including "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees or "Walk the Line" by Johnny Cash.
The American Heart Association has developed a 90-second video to demonstrate how to perform hands-only CPR.
How CPR Saves Lives
When your heart stops and blood stops flowing through your body, you're at risk of permanent brain damage and even death.
When you perform chest compressions during CPR, you are manually pumping the heart and keeping blood flowing until a medical professional arrives.
If you've had training, you can also perform rescue breathing, which helps get oxygen to the lungs of someone who has stopped breathing.
If you are a parent with an infant or a child 1-8 years old, experts suggest that you consider taking a CPR course to learn more specialized techniques for children. EvergreenHealth hosts in-person and virtual classes on infant safety and CPR .
Additionally, the American Heart Association hosts various CPR training classes throughout the Puget Sound region. You can find a class near you on the AHA website .
Caring for Your Heart
Schedule an appointment today with an EvergreenHealth Heart Care Cardiologist by calling (425) 899-0555 .
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