Author Archives: Stephen Huffman

Shock Therapy: AEDs Save Lives

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When many people think of helping someone suffering from cardiac arrest, they immediately think of manual CPR. While it is true that CPR should be done immediately on a victim of cardiac arrest, what is often overlooked is the importance of quickly accessing an automated external defibrillator, or AED. Of course, CPR should still be a first priority – if there is no one else around to help the victim, immediately call 9-1-1 and begin CPR until help arrives. If the victim collapsed in a public setting, though, there should be a few bystanders nearby who can be asked to quickly find the nearest AED while someone performs CPR.

Manual CPR pumps blood and oxygen to the victims brain through a series of chest compressions and breaths. While this does help the victim, an AED takes it one step further by providing an electric shock to the victim’s heart. This shock, when given the right conditions, stops the heart’s fibrillation and allows it to return to its normal beating rhythm. The sooner an AED can be found and used on the victim, the better the victim’s chances are of survival.

Although it might sound complicated to someone who has not been trained in the use of an AED, these machines are actually quite simple to use and always come with detailed instructions. That being said, it is still very important for anyone being trained in CPR or first aid to also receive instruction on the use of an AED. Online AED classes are easy to find and usually inexpensive, and many training companies offer CPR and AED training as a package deal – just look for the AED symbol (a heart with a lightning bolt inside) when you purchase your CPR course. The more you know, the more prepared you are to help save someone’s live in the event of a cardiac emergency.

CPR Recertification – Once is not Enough

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If you have taken any kind of CPR or first aid training, you know how important that information is. Whether you took an adult CPR, a pediatric CPR, or a first aid class, you now possess knowledge that has the potential to save lives. As with all information, though, even the most important facts begin to fade after a while. This process is slow and unnoticeable; by the time you realize how many details about CPR or emergency care you have actually forgotten, it could be too late. The last thing you would want is to find  yourself in the middle of an emergency situation and then suddenly freeze or become unsure of yourself, wasting precious time, because you can’t quite remember what you were taught in your CPR or first aid class many years ago.

The most effective way to counteract this natural memory lapse is to make sure that you take a CPR recertification class at least once every two years. Most CPR or first aid certifications only last one or two years for this very reason. Time flies by, though, and often two years go by faster than you think. The best policy is to keep a copy of your certification card somewhere accessible and just remember to always keep it up to date. CPR recertification classes are easy to find and can be inexpensive, especially if you simply re-certify online. Most classes give you a quick, but thorough reminder of those important life-saving details that are so easy to forget after long periods of time. Then it is a small exam at the end and you will receive your brand new certification lasting another year or two. You will also gain confidence in your abilities to help out in emergency situations, knowing that you have done your best to stay up to date with your knowledge of CPR or first aid.

Protect Yourself with Hands-Only Adult CPR

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Studies have shown that one of the biggest fears associated with giving adult CPR in emergency situations is the risk of disease transmission. Although the chances of obtaining an infectious disease while performing CPR are extremely low, it is a common worry that keeps many people from helping someone who might be suffering from cardiac arrest. Of course, even knowing that there is a low chance of transmission is still somewhat worrisome, and barrier devices such as mouth guards are not always handy when you find yourself needing to act quickly in an emergency situation. So how can you help others while also protecting yourself? The answer is compression-only adult CPR.

Compression-only adult CPR, also known as hands-only adult CPR, is a form of CPR that excludes any breathing or mouth-to-mouth contact, and focuses solely on chest compressions. Hands-only adult CPR is becoming more and more popular not only because it protects the rescuer, but also because it is a very effective life saving technique in its own right. Unlike the traditional 30:2 (30 compressions to 2 breaths) adult CPR, the hands-only technique uses continuous compressions to build up a pressure in the victim’s chest that actually aids in blood circulation. This pressure is released in 30:2 adult CPR when the rescuer stops for too long to switch from compressions to giving breaths. Hands-only CPR is also easy to teach and explain since there are no ratios or times to remember, just quick compressions until professional help arrives.

Compression-only adult CPR is an excellent technique that gives people a confidence in their abilities as a potential rescuer. Free from worrying about their own safety, anyone can now react quickly in an emergency situation with hands-only adult CPR to effectively aid victims suffering from cardiac arrest. When only seconds may hang in the balance between life and death, a confident and quick reaction to an emergency can make a huge difference.