Each year in the United States about 310,000 adults die from sudden cardiac arrest. Without immediate, effective CPR from a bystander, a person’s chance of surviving sudden cardiac arrest decreases 7 percent to 10 percent per minute.
Unfortunately, on average, less than one-third of cardiac arrest victims receive bystander CPR, which can double or triple a person’s chance of surviving.
Chandler firefighters hope to be part of a massive statewide effort to reduce those numbers.
Hundreds of Arizona EMS providers, have joined in an effort called CPR Across America.
The goal is to train 50,000 people in hands-only CPR.
The initiative coincides with the 50th anniversary of CPR. Five hundred durable mannequins are being donated to the CPR Across America team for the purpose of mass CPR training. The mannequins will begin a two-year journey across the United States with the goal of motivating communities to train 10 percent of their population in the hands-only technique.
“Bystanders who witness the sudden collapse of an adult should immediately call 911 and start hands-only CPR,” said Kate Jaramillo, organizer of CPR Across America.
“This involves providing high-quality chest compressions by pushing hard and fast (approximately 100 per minute) in the middle of the victim’s chest, without stopping until emergency medical services responders arrive,”
The CPR Across America campaign starts this October, when 20 Arizona towns and communities will offer free CPR instruction to people of all ages.
“Over the years, fire service has reduced life and property loss through an effective fire prevention education effort,” said Chandler Fire Chief Jeff Clark.
“Hands only CPR training seems like the perfect starting point to replicate that success relative to emergency medical services.”
“Many times people don’t help because they’re afraid that they will hurt the victim and aren’t confident in what they’re doing,” said Dr. Bentley Bobrow, Medical Director for the Bureau of EMS at the Arizona Department of Health Services.
“We want people to know that they can help by just calling 9-1-1 and doing firm, uninterrupted chest compressions. Don’t be afraid to try it. We know many lives will be saved if the public does Hands-Only CPR for adult victims of sudden cardiac arrest.”
CPR Across America is made possible by many organizations including Midwestern University, the Arizona Department of Health Services, Glendale Fire Department, Chandler Fire Department, Cardiac Solutions, the Arizona Civil Air Patrol, Citizen CPR Foundation and the American Heart Association.
Information: http://www.cpracrossamerica.com/
