Why You Should Learn CPR
Cardiac arrest – an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and disrupts the flow of blood to the brain, lungs and other organs – is a leading cause of death. Each year, over 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States.
• When a person has a cardiac arrest, survival depends on immediately getting CPR from someone nearby.
• 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.
To find a CPR course near you, click here.
Arizona is the 32nd State to Offer CPR in Schools
Arizona is the latest state to add CPR training to the curriculum for high school students, making it the 32nd in the country.
“Training students in CPR means equipping more people with the ability to act immediately, appropriately, and potentially save a life during an emergency,” said Annie Dockendorff, a spokeswoman for the Arizona governor’s office. “This legislation makes Arizona one of over 30 states to teach this important life skill in our schools.”
Learn more about what you can do to help get all students training in life-saving CPR before they graduate high school.
90 Seconds Can Save a Life
• Hands-Only CPR has just two easy steps: If you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse, (1) Call 911; and (2) Push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of the disco song “Stayin’ Alive.”
• People feel more confident performing Hands-Only CPR and are more likely to remember the correct rate when trained to the beat of a familiar song.
• During CPR, you should push on the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. The beat of “Stayin’ Alive” is a perfect match for this.
• Watch the 90-second Hands-Only CPR video and share it with the important people in your life.
Warning Signs of a Heart Attack
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense – the “movie heart attack,” where no one doubts what’s happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help. Read more about the signs that can mean a heart attack is happening here .
You Make a Difference
Your contributions help us train millions in CPR each year. This knowledge could save the life of someone you love. To make a donation, click here.