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.
South Dakota is the 36th State to Offer CPR in Schools
South Dakota is now one of 36 states to require CPR training to the curriculum for high school students.
The new law takes effect with the 2017-2018 school year and will result in more than 8,000 additional South Dakotans trained in CPR each year.
“Having a new generation of lifesavers in our communities will have an incredible ripple effect for years to come,” Eric Van Dusen, president of South Dakota Emergency Medical Services Association, said in a news release. “We know that young adults trained in CPR at school will save lives by knowing what to do during those precious few minutes after someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest.”
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.