Exploring The Benefits of Taking CPR Classes

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The unfortunate truth is that sudden cardiac arrest is considered to be one of the leading causes of death in America. The reason why so many people who have cardia arrest outside of a hospital die is because there are no bystanders who are capable of performing CPR to increase the chances of survival.

The truth of the matter is CPR is exceptionally easy to master. In fact, CPR classes are taught to tens of thousands of willing individuals every year. Still need some convincing? Here are all the reasons why you should take CPR classes and get certified.

It Saves Lives

The biggest reason for anyone and everyone to take CPR classes is because CPR saves lives. There are more than 300,000 people who are going to have a cardiac arrest every single year in the United States. Sudden cardiac arrest is something that occurs when an electrical rhythm problem occurs in a person’s heart which prevents it from being able to pump blood through the body. The longer your body goes without this blood, the lower your chances of survival become. Performing CPR will help the blood continue to flow through the body until an ambulance and arrive to assist. CPR is so helpful that statistics show it more than doubles a person’s chance of survive when it is started early.

CPR Outside of a Hospital is Uncommon

Statistics show that the likelihood of a bystander stepping in and performing CPR is unlikely. In fact, only somewhere between 15 and 30 percent of individuals who have a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital are going to receive CPR. When people are later asked why they never started CPR the answer is usually the same – they didn’t know how. If everyone would take CPR classes, this is a problem that could be avoided. Naturally, people have other fears such as hurting the person, hurting themselves, legal risks, or concerns about infection. These other fears, however, tend to go away when a person attends CPR classes and receives proper CPR training.

Mouth-To-Mouth Isn’t Necessary

Another big reason why people do not do CPR in the field is because they do not want to do mouth-to-mouth. People who have this line of thinking are people who have never been formally trained to do CPR as this is not a necessary technique. In 2010, the guidelines for a person performing CPR changed. The guidelines state that if someone is uncomfortable with CPR or has not been formally trained with CPR – they should only do hands-on CPR. The truth is that hands-on CPR has proven to be just as effective and just as helpful for someone who has had a sudden cardiac arrest.

As you can see, taking CPR classes may be the reason you are able to save a person’s life one day. Do you really want to walk around in a world where no one knows how to perform CPR in a moment when it is needed most? You can be the first domino to fall by taking CPR classes.

AHA Key point 2015 – Hands Only CPR

 

By Peter J Klotunowitch

The American Heart Association (AHA) gave a “Call to Action” for bystander witnessed an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of probable cardiac origin. The national news media picked this up and announced to the public that the new AHA recommendation is to do compression only Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation. From the number of posted questions I’ve seen on-line there seems to be a lot of confusion.

This call to action for bystander does NOT apply to unwitnessed cardiac arrest, cardiac arrest in infants, children, or cardiac arrest presumed to be of non-cardiac origin, such as drowning, trauma, airway obstruction, acute respiratory disease and apnea (such as associated with drug overdose).

If this clarification begins to sound a bit confusing, let me try to simplify it a bit. The new recommendation seems to be directed towards the non-trained rescuer. The idea of having more people getting involved, in providing care, would lead to more successful resuscitation. Many people may be reluctant to get involved due to fear of contracting a disease (through mouth to mouth breaths) or being unable to provide proper CPR skills. The new guidelines are as follows:

* If a bystander is not trained in CPR, then the bystander should provide hands-only (compression) CPR, pushing in the middle of the chest hard and fast until an AED arrives or emergency personnel take over the care of the victim.

* If a bystander was previously trained in CPR skills and is confident in his/hers ability to provide rescue breaths with minimal interruptions in chest compressions, then the bystander should provide conventional CPR using the 30:2 compression to ventilation ratio.

* If a bystander was previously trained in CPR skills and is NOT confident in his/hers ability to provide conventional CPR, then the bystander should provide hands-only (compression) CPR, pushing in the middle of the chest hard and fast until an AED arrives or emergency personnel take over the care of the victim.

If you know your skills and are confident in performing them, the best care for the victim is still CPR with compressions and rescue ventilations. On the other hand if you are reluctant or have not had proper CPR training, then beginning chest compressions alone without rescue ventilations is beneficial to the victim and should be start immediately and only discontinued when someone with a higher skill or emergency personal arrive.

Miami Dade Schools adding CPR as part of their curriculum

In a forward-thinking and health-minded ddade-schoolecision, the school board of Miami-Dade county has become the first in the state to elect to educate students in Hands-Only CardioPulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as part of their Physical Fitness curriculum. While Florida is not one of the country’s 34 states that require that students be taught CPR in schools, the American Heart Association is hopeful that Florida’s largest district will set a precedent and lead the way for other counties to follow suit. Teaching CPR in school is an easy, convenient way to educate generation after generation of potential life savers.

Statistically, when applied straight away, CPR can triple the survival rate of someone who has suffered from cardiac arrest. A population with proper training can provide significant support for a person who’s life may hang in the balance as they wait for emergency responders to arrive.

This summer in Winter Haven, FL, nine year old Thomas Ingram, Jr. was pulled from the bottom of a swimming pool by his friend, ten year old Larry Wagner. After getting the attention of a family friend and another man, CPR was finally administered to Ingram by a third adult, a property security guard, and he survived what could have very well been death by drowning.

Thankfully, that scenario had a happy resolution. However, imagine a situation in which the property’s security guard was not present. Larry Wagner was able to pull his friend out of the swimming pool, but then what? Not one, but two adults responded to his cries for help and yet neither acted in a manner that could effectively save Ingram’s life. The story could have had a very different and tragic ending were it not for the security guard’s education and quick actions.

Now imagine a scenario where not only the two adults present had adequate CPR training but perhaps even young Wagner himself.

The first line of defense against death by cardiac arrest is not millions of dollars of cutting edge medical equipment, but the intellectual understanding of a very simple and effective life saving technique. Neglecting to teach young students CPR is neglecting the possibility that any one of them could at some time in their lives find themselves tragically unable to assist a loved one in dire need. It also neglects the fact that any one of us could just as well suffer from cardiac arrest and become completely dependent on those around us to come to our rescue.

The Miami-Dade board’s decision is to be applauded and emulated as it will surely have a life-saving effect on the future of its student body and their associates.

Don’t get more than you asked for during the Holidays

The Holidays are, of course, a great time to reconnect with friends and family. Smiles and stories are shared as we all take a break from the grind of our busy lives. However, it’s not uncommon to also share germs during the flu season, and people tend to gain weight as the weather gets cooler and the food becomes more indulgent! Here are some tips to help you stay happy and healthy during your holiday travel and visits:

holiday-blues

– Carry disinfectant wipes with you. Bus rails, arm rests, airport chairs… all of these surfaces are germ magnets. Wipe down any surfaces that you might find yourself coming in contact with as you traverse bustling public areas during the holiday traveling season.

 

– Use hand sanitizer. As an additional defense against surface-borne bacteria and viruses, use hand sanitizer to help keep your hands germ free when a proper hand wash can’t take place.

 

– Don’t skip the treats, but don’t over indulge either. If you are going to be around a lot of tempting desserts and junk food, try chewing some gum. Not only does it “trick” your brain into thinking you are eating, but grandma’s peanut butter cookies will probably be a lot less tempting with a mouthful of spearmint gum.

 

– Get a flu shot! Sure, they aren’t always 100% effective, but it’s certainly better than nothing. The very young and very old are the most susceptible to the flu’s worst symptoms, but weeks of illness aren’t likely to fit into even the healthiest person’s schedule.

 

– Rest! If you find yourself under the weather, get as much rest as possible. The extra time off from work that the holidays bring is a great opportunity to try to catch up on sleep and hibernate for a while. Your body will thank you.

 

– Drink plenty of water and moisturize. As the weather cools down and the days get shorter, it’s easy to forget to stay hydrated. However, drinking plenty of fluids is not a rule that just has to be followed in the summer. Dry sinuses are a goldmine for the common cold, and dry, rough skin on your hands provides more surface area for bacteria and viruses to cling and find their way to your face. Put a bottle of lotion next to your sink to remind yourself to lather it on after your wash your hands.

 

– Don’t forget others! The holidays can be a very difficult time for those suffering from depression or in the wake of a family loss. Take the time to give not only gifts this year, but also your time and attention to people you know who might be having a hard time emotionally. Is there an extra spot at your holiday table?

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Victim Gets Assist from Technology

For Kory Trebbin, attending church on a Sunday morning in May, there was little warning that this day would differ from other Sundays. But, before it was over, the 53-year old Santa Clara resident would experience sudden cardiac arrest, lose his heartbeat for a full 18 minutes, and have his life saved by an off-duty ER physician who answered an alert from a mobile app in her phone.

pulsepointOn seeing that Trebbin was unresponsive and had no pulse, witnesses dialed 9-1-1, summoning professional first responders. Simultaneously, a nearby off-duty ER physician was alerted via her Smart Phone of this emergency just blocks from her home. Arriving before the first responders, she performed CPR on Trebbin until police arrived with an Automated External Defibrillator, or AED, which she used to re-establish productive heart rhythm.  She then accompanied Trebbin via ambulance to the nearest hospital, which happened to be the hospital at which she worked.

The app which alerted her, PulsePoint, is designed to strengthen the “chain of survival” by alerting nearby CPR-trained citizens to sudden cardiac arrests in the area, thus increasing the odds that lifesaving measures can be taken even before the arrival of Emergency Medical Services personnel.

Sudden cardiac arrest, which involves a malfunctioning of the heart’s electrical system, is often fatal, especially without medical intervention. In fact, after 10 minutes without resuscitation, there is little chance the victim will survive. So it’s not surprising that out-of-hospital SCAs are a leading cause of death in America, claiming the lives of 420,000 – close to half a million – people each year. The American Heart Association reports that prompt bystander assistance – early CPR and the administration of a therapeutic shock from a defibrillator, when indicated — can double and even triple chances of survival, and help reduce this grim statistic. LA-based cardiologist Dr. Leslie Saxon agrees on the need for bystander intervention, stating “It’s going to take a community to impact the dismal survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.”

Trebbin, who suffered no cognitive damage in spite of having no heartbeat for 18 minutes, called his survival a “miracle” and credited the 911 callers, the first responders, and the existence of the mobile app. “PulsePoint connected me with someone who could, and did, save my life,” Trebbin said.

Joe Farrell’s Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survival Story: CPR Saved His Life And Someone Else’s

In the moment when sudden cardiac arrests strikes, a split second decision to get down on your hands and knees to perform CPR may be just the ticket to save the victim’s life. In fact, studies and medical research reveals that individuals who receive CPR within two minutes of a cardiac arrest are less likely to suffer brain damage.

Joe Farrell is a cardiac arrest survival victim who knows firsthand – on two different accounts – how CPR can save a life. In August of 2008, Joe had just arrived at a professional friend’s house around 2 p.m. He and his wife were attending a memorial dinner on behalf of their friend’s husband who had recently passed away. According to Farrell’s wife, he was speaking to a few friends and a local track coach when he suddenly collapsed. Unconscious and not breathing, the track coach immediately started to perform CPR on Farrell while someone else contacted paramedics. It took paramedics between 5 and 6 minutes to arrive on the scene. When they arrived, they shocked him four times to bring back his cardiac rhythm.

What is so unique about Joe’s cardiac arrest survival story is that just one year prior in August of 2007, when he was 55-years-old, he saved a man’s life by performing CPR on him. He was on a golf course in Nevada when he stumbled upon the man – who was unconscious and not breathing when he found him. Farrell performed CPR while a second golfer contacted paramedics. According to Joe, time appeared to move in slow motion as it took paramedics what seemed like forever to arrive. The victim was transferred to a hospital via helicopter and also survived the cardiac arrest. To this day, he and Joe are good friends.

Joe Farrell believes he is lucky to have known how to perform CPR and is even more lucky to have been in the presence of someone who knew CPR as well. Had CPR not been immediately performed on himself and the man he found unconscious on the golf course in Nevada one year prior to his own cardiac arrest, he doesn’t know if he or the other man would still be alive today.

Rescue Breathing? CPR? I’m confused!!!

I have heard people talk about giving/not giving breaths with CPR and also about “rescue breathing”. I am confused…What is the difference? How do I know what to do?  These are questions often asked at a CPR class, and I would like to clarify it for you.  Maybe even give a SIMPLE answer to take away your fears.

CPR with/without giving breaths is used when the victim is Unresponsive, Not breathing , and has no pulse.  Chest compressions are done and breaths (if given) alternate ..30 compressions then 2 breaths

Rescue breathing is used when an adult, child or infant has a pulse but is not breathing effectively. Rescuers would NOT be doing chest compressions.  For an adult, you would provide one breath every 5 to 6 seconds (a good hearty breath. Watch for the chest to start to rise). For a child, one breath every 3 to 5 seconds (lighter breath…just enough to see the chest START to rise) For an infant, one breath every 3 to 5 seconds (just a puff from your cheeks. Be sure that you are just providing a puff, as an infant’s lungs are very small. Watch for the chest to START to rise and stop)

Did you notice a common number in these rescue breaths?  The number is 5 seconds.  So if you remember the number 5, you can safely provide rescue breaths for an adult, child or infant by providing one SAFE breath every 5 seconds.  IF AN INFANT’S PULSE GOES TO 60 OR LESS, YOU WILL NEED TO SWITCH TO CPR.

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The Life-Saving Importance of AEDs in the Workplace

aed sign 1

If you work a standard 40+ hour week, you likely spend more of your waking hours at your workplace than you do at home. Your job gives you a way to provide for your family, and you develop close relationships with your co-workers and customers over time. At In-Pulse CPR, we are committed to empowering clients and reducing preventable fatalities. That is one of the reasons why we believe automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, should be present in as many workplaces as possible.

 

What Are AEDs?

Before we explain why an AED would benefit your workplace, it’s important to understand what an AED actually is. An automated external defibrillator is a portable medical device that has the capability to check the heart’s current rhythm and send an electric shock to the heart if necessary. The purpose of the shock is to restore a healthy rhythm to the heart.

Zoll with Cabinet

AEDs are proven to improve survival rates in patients that experience sudden cardiac arrest. Although these important machines are powerful, they are also lightweight, battery-operated, and very simple to use.

 

AED Statistics

The damage caused by a heart attack can onset after as little as three minutes, decreasing the likelihood of survival by as much as 10% for every minute past three. This includes irreversible brain damage and even death. This statistics are sobering, but how likely is it that a person experiencing cardiac arrest would benefit from emergency care from a colleague? Research shows that this is more common than you might think.

 

The average response time for EMS services is about 10-15 minutes, which is long enough to reduce the chance of survival to under 30%. Conversely, studies have shown that a sixth grade student, when properly trained, can operate an AED efficiently in under 90 seconds. These precious minutes can make a world of difference to a person in cardiac arrest and help bridge the treatment gap between incident and professional care.

 

Workplace Safety

If you feel intimidated by the thought of using an AED to shock another person, you are not alone. This is one of the reasons why knowledge is power. AEDs are designed for use by a layperson and require minimal training. These devices usually contain spoken prompts for use, guiding the user step by step through the process. Some models contain an “event memory” which records important information and ECG data that the emergency team can use to understand what treatment the patient has received. These advantages, when coupled with the professional care from an EMS team, can mean the difference between life and death.

 

If there is already an AED present in your workplace, it’s vital that all of your staff members know where it is located and how to use it. All CPR classes taught by In-Pulse CPR professionals include an AED component. Although the devices themselves are not difficult to use, completing training and having the chance to get answers to your questions helps you react with confidence when you have the opportunity to help a colleague or customer at your workplace.

 

Why not schedule a CPR and AED training course at your office today?

Avoiding Injury: Aging Adults

For many of us, getting older means a reduction in physical activity. The less activity we get, the more our muscles atrophy (weaken, deteriorate) and the more deconditioned our cardiovascular system becomes. Not getting any exercise can make it very easy to get injured doing routine tasks like bending over to tie your shoes. Recovering from injury also takes longer as we age.

elderly

Bottom line

:  Being out of shape can result in poor health and injury. Poor health and injury can lead to more doctor visits, more hospitalizations and more medications to treat related illnesses and injuries.

 

Have hope – a silver lining can be found in this dark cloud! There are a number of things you can do to avoid injuries that won’t require a large financial investment like a gym membership, special equipment or a trainer. The internet is chocked full of resources that can help educate yourself on health, fitness, nutrition and preventing injury. Who knows – you may find activities that you really enjoy doing and it won’t even seem like exercise!

For those looking to start exercising, gentle stretching and walking are two free and easy activities that can help condition your body to prevent injury.  You can do both of these activities almost anywhere and at any time! Your doctor may be able to provide you with stretching instructions if you’re unable to access the internet.

 

If you want something a little more intense, look into individual or team sports such as golf, tennis, softball or volleyball.  Or try more rigorous cardiovascular activities like jogging, elliptical training, etc. Strength training is a great way of keeping your muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones conditioned.

 

Exercise may provide the following benefits:

  • Maintain or lose weight
  • Reduce the impact of illness and chronic disease
  • Enhance mobility, flexibility, and balance
  • Reduce blood pressure and stress

 

Being sedentary and getting no exercise is more risky than becoming active. The pros outweigh the cons by a substantial amount. You don’t need to run a marathon or lift heavy weights to get in shape. There are plenty of low impact activities that will provide adequate conditioning and reduce your chances of injury. When starting any new exercise program, always consider consulting your doctor beforehand. Get moving!

Minnesota Community Strives for Heart Safety

By Laura Crider

Sadly, almost everyone knows someone who has experienced a cardiac arrest. The next victim could be your co-worker, your neighbor, or a random stranger you pass on the street. In the state of Minnesota, cardiovascular events are currently the second leading cause of death, making them responsible for nearly 20 percent of in-state deaths. These statistics are sobering, but one small Minnesota city is taking impressive steps to tackle the problem head-on.

 

Heart Safe Communities

mounds-view

Mounds View, Minnesota, is a popular suburb in the Twin Cities metro area. More than 13,000 residents call Mounds View home, and the locale was named as an official Heart Safe Community in September 2016. Community leaders chose to participate in this initiative because it empowers members of the community through training and education.

 

Heart Safe Communities are the brainchild of Allina Health in partnership with the American Heart Association and the Minnesota Department of Health. The main goal of each Heart Safe Community

is preventing deaths due to sudden cardiac arrest. There are several strategies used to accomplish this goal including:

  • Increasing community cardiac arrest awareness
  • Placing automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, in busy public areas
  • Providing CPR education and training to members of the community

 

An Urgent Need

When a person’s heart stops suddenly as a result of cardiac arrest, immediate action is needed. The minutes between when first responders are called and when they arrive are vital. Survival is not likely unless action is taken right away, and death can occur within minutes after the heart stops.

 

Most people want to be able to help in an emergency, but they don’t want to do anything wrong or they are just not quite sure how to proceed. That’s one of the reasons why CPR and AED training is so important. Some people feel wary about mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, so the Heart Safe program focuses on hands-only CPR. Studies conducted by the Journal of the American Medical Association have shown that bystanders are more likely to perform this type of CPR, and chest compressions perform the important task of trying to restore blood flow to the body.

 

Public access to AEDs is another important part of this program. Since it received its Heart Safe designation, Mounds View now has an AED in every school. AEDs are also present in City Hall and other government facilities. The Heart Safe team continues to work to encourage more Mounds View businesses to have AEDs available to the public.

 

As a result of the Mounds View Heart Safe movement, other nearby communities are joining the cause, too. Anoka County and Blaine are just two of the locations that are working toward their Heart Safe Community designation. When communities band together for awareness and training, lives can be saved.

 

Taking the Next Steps

At In-Pulse CPR, we know that knowledge is power. Whether you live in Mounds View, Minnesota, or another part of the state, you have the power to potentially save a life. Check out /Minnesota  to find a convenient class in your area.

 

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Progress is everything:

There’s a historical milestone in the fact that our Apollo 11 landing on the moon took place a mere 66 years after the Wright Brothers’ first flight.   Buzz Aldrin

First Aid & Safety doesn’t happen by accident – Author unknown

You will love our instructors! 

As business manager I receive many phone calls from those who are scheduling or will be attending a class.  Often they have questions as to what certification they need.  Sometimes I get someone who is in a panic as they cannot return to work because their CPR certification has lapsed.  I always do my best to help out where I can to get those calling registered for the correct class. 

I don’t often have someone call me after they have attended a prior class.  But occasionally we do.  Since we have attendee’s fill out a ‘course evaluation’ I always read comments that people have left.  Those comments help guide us to improve where needed if necessary.  Historically those comments are almost always fantastic (we loved the class, best class ever, I loved how this was done, etc).  I am thankful, as we have a wonderful team.

This morning, however I received one of those calls from a mother who had signed up her daughter for a CPR course to fulfill her need before starting clinical at a nearby school.  This mother said she had to call just to say that the daughter kept on raving how good the class was.  Recently, I received a similar call from someone who had been to CPR training classes with countless other organizations but this class was the ‘best by far’!  About a week later she called back to tell me that she had the opportunity to practice what she had learned on a drowning victim.

I appreciate all the feedback from our students.  It helps gauge how we are doing, as we always strive to do things better.  Please keep the comments coming.

Troy.

 

5 Reasons You Should Learn CPR

CPR classes are fun!

By Laura Crider

Some people think that performing CPR is a job for for paramedics or medical professionals. Others believe CPR is only for those with years of training and extensive experience in medicine. At In-Pulse CPR, we believe that CPR training is for everyone. We don’t take this stance because we want to increase our bottom line. Instead, we are passionate about CPR because we have seen how it saves lives and keeps families from being turn apart by loss. Here are five important reasons why you could consider learning CPR.

You’ll Be Equipped to Help Those You Love

Did you know that more than 80 percent of cardiac arrests occur while the patient is at home? This means that you are more likely to use your CPR skills to help someone close to you than assisting a stranger. We cannot control everything that happens to our loved ones, but we can do everything possible to be ready to help in case an emergency occurs.

Many people think of CPR as a skill to have when dealing with elderly or very sick family members. Although this is important, there is no age limit when it comes to who CPR can help. In fact, it’s a great idea for new parents and caregivers of little ones to understand the principles of infant and child CPR.

CPR classes are fun!

CPR Is Easy to Learn

You don’t have to be a genius or complete years of medical school to learn and perform CPR effectively. One of the main benefits of CPR is the fact that it can be performed by just about anyone at any time. At In-Pulse CPR, we facilitate a variety of CPR classes. Many of our students are surprised to find out how quickly they can master these skills when they study with a patient, experienced instructor.

Why not register for a class today?  Visit our calendar of community classes in your area and register.

Brain Death Doesn’t Wait

You know that it’s important to call 911 as soon as possible when an emergency occurs. This is a vital step, but unfortunately, it’s not always enough. Although emergency personnel send help as quickly as possible, no emergency response is instantaneous.

In most cases, brain death starts occurring in as little as four minutes after the heart stops functioning. When you begin CPR right away, you can help the patient minimize the risk of brain damage.

You’ll Feel Confident in An Emergency

Emergencies always seem to occur at the most unexpected times, and they have a way of making you feel helpless and confused. When you complete CPR training, you will have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform CPR in an emergency situation. You’ll also have the confidence you need to make good decisions and do everything possible to help.

You Can Save a Life

As of 2016, cardiac arrest is still one of the leading causes of death in the United States. According to national statistics, less than 30 percent of people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital receive bystander CPR. You don’t have to feel helpless when it comes to your response in an emergency situation. Instead, enjoy the confidence and satisfaction that comes from knowing that your CPR skills can be used any day to help save a life.

Sources:

https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/health-answers/top-5-reasons-to-get-your-cpr-training-now
https://www.ymcadallas.org/blog/2013/07/08/40/summer_safety_the_top_reasons_everyone_should_know_cpr_first_aid

Laura: This is my story

Over 300,000 people have their hearts stop suddenly (suffer Sudden Cardiac Arrest or SCA) yearly in

the United States alone. Most survivors return to their home and back to their usual activities. Of these

survivors, many were previously healthy.

Since the AHA Guidelines 2000 we have been taught that for every minute that passes between

collapse and defibrillation, survival rates from witnessed sudden cardiac arrest decrease close to 10%.

When bystander CPR is provided, the decrease in survival rates is more gradual and averages 3% per

minute. That’s like an additional 7 people out of 100 that will survive or 21,000 people per year!

One such person is Laura and this is her story of survival:

In earlier months my boyfriend had taken a CPR training course through his work. On the night of my

sudden cardiac arrest, he began CPR while ringing for an ambulance. Fortunately, they arrived minutes later.

 

Re-establishing blood flow to the vital organs is the single most important factor for successful resuscitation when the duration of cardiac arrest is prolonged.

– Professor Wanchun Tang, MD

 

 

As the ambulance arrived, paramedics soon reached me with a defibrillator. After three shocks, they

got a pulse and escorted me straight to hospital. Upon arrival, the hospital staff were

extremely alert and kept my family updated at all times. Procedures to restore my heart to a normal

rhythm began straight away. I was put into a coma and my body cooled or ‘frozen’ for three days; I was

very poorly. In total, I was in hospital for approximately two weeks. Before having my operation (I was

recommended for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), I remember being in hospital and

watching a documentary about Fabrice Muamba and was stunned! I couldn’t believe I had suffered just

like he did and also share the same birthday! It made me feel more at ease going into my operation to

see people like him still living their life.

After coming out of hospital, I feel so lucky to have a second chance at life, however

I did feel slightly hopeless and very tired but I know this is completely normal. With the help from my

cardiac rehab program, I feel like a new person and I’m now living my life to the full. I couldn’t ask for

more, from the help I have had from family and friends and most of all from my boyfriend for saving my life.

Laura, 2015

Joggers life was about to change

When Todd Tewksbury set out for his routine daily jog back in August of 2014, everything about it felt normal
from lacing up his cross-trainers to the feel of his old t-shirt, nothing stood out as odd to him as he said goodbye to his
mother and set out along his route. He couldn’t have known that in just a few minutes and a few miles, his life was
about to change forever and if not for some quick thinking onlookers, he may have lost it entirely. Of course, how could
he have known? There was no reason to consider that as he approached JFK by the art museum on his typical path, he
would suffer joggerfrom cardiac arrest and fall to his knees. After all, Todd, a 27-year-old athlete, had no reason to consider
something like heart failure could even happen to him, let alone that it would find himself suddenly slumped on all fours
that summer day along the waterfront.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Cardiac Arrest is the unexpected loss of heart function, breathing and
consciousness. Sudden cardiac arrest usually results from an electrical disturbance in your heart that disrupts its
pumping action, stopping blood flow to the rest of your body.” Although there is potential to survive an attack it
becomes incredibly minimal if emergency medical treatment is not performed immediately. Because the heart is no
longer pumping blood and vital organs are deprived of oxygen, it is imperative that the individual suffering the attack
receives CPR or treatment with a defibrillator within seconds. Although only 11% of people survive an attack nationally,
that number could greatly improve to 38% if more people to knew CPR. Lucky for Tewksbury, he fell into the 11%
survival rate thanks to a group of strangers who also had a mind to enjoy the Schuylkill River Trail that day.

Dr. Aaron Mendelson and his wife were a few yards away when they rushed to Todd’s side upon seeing him fall to
the ground, they assumed he was having a seizure given that he was a fairly young and athletic man. Once they reached
him however, it became evident that he did not have a pulse and they knew it had to be a heart issue. Arron, a resident
at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and his wife, an ER doctor were very well trained in the emergency
care of Cardiac Arrest and began to administer CPR in attempt to provide Tewksbury’s vital organs the oxygen they
desperately needed. Meanwhile, another concerned individual, part of the small crowd that had gathered around, used
Todd’s phone to call his mother Louis, alerting her to what was happening to her son. As Louis and her family rushed to
the hospital to meet Todd upon his arrival, the group with him on the waterfront administered CPR for a total of 11
minutes at which point two women brought over a defibrillator from a nearby recreational center, delivering a lifesaving
dose of electric current in order to start his heart back up.
Todd is alive and well today and he along with his family are incredibly grateful to the Mendelson’s and others that
stepped in and took action that day. It was incredibly lucky that there were trained medical professionals within the
general vicinity of where the incident occurred, however, Dr. Mendelson says that anyone could have done what he did
to save Todd’s life. The doctors treating him in the days following the attack, noted that CRP was the main factor in his
survival and his ability to walk out of the hospital, without it Todd surely would have died. No small detail to Tewksbury
who noted he would be learning CRP and educating himself in emergency care in the hope that should he ever find
himself on the other end of this situation, he would be able to pay it forward and save another’s life.

BayCare medical staff CPR classes

Is your BLS Provider CPR certification expiring and BayCare is requiring you to renew it?

We offer CPR certification classes at over 13 locations in the Tampa Bay area

Click here to View our Class Calendar

 

 

The following certification is required at BayCare:

BLS Healthcare CPR / Heath care Professional / BLS Provider through the American Heart Association- These classes are showing in yellow on our calendar.

 

Bartow Regional Medical Center , BayCare Alliant Hospital, Mease Countryside Hospital, Mease Dunedin Hospital, Morton Plant Hospital, Morton Plant North Bay Hospital, St. Anthony’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, St. Joseph’s Hospital-South, South Florida Baptist Hospital, Winter Haven Hospital, Winter Haven Women’s Hospital

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Disclaimer:
Use of any advise on this site is purely at your own risk.  The information supplied is designed to accompany CPR and first aid training not to replace.  In-Pulse CPR, Inc disclaims any liability for losses you incur as a result of inaccuracy of the information provided on this website.  Information on this site is for education, supplemental to examination by and advice of medical professionals.   Any information regarding first aid treatments is not meant to replace the advice of medical professionals including physicians, paramedics, emergency room attendants, nurses or other licensed medical personnel.