Mastering A Skill
...between life and death. Most people who learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation seem to think they may never need to administer it. While this may be true, having this ability could save a life if the situation ever did arise. When it comes to cardiopulmonary resuscitation, timing is of vital importance.
Performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation on someone can restore the circulation of oxygen and blood flow to the brain and other vital organs long enough for medical help to arrive, increasing the chance of survival. According to the American Heart Association, early CPR and defibrillation within the first 3 to 5 minutes after collapse, plus early advance care can result in high long-term survival rates for witnessed ventricular fibrillation. Chance of survival is greater than fifty percent.
Sudden cardiac death (S.C.D.) from coronary heart disease causes one of the highest amounts of deaths per year. SCD is death resulting from loss of heart function. About 310,000 people a year die of coronary heart disease without even being hospitalized or admitted to the emergency room. About 850 people die a day, most of them are sudden deaths caused by cardiac arrest. The American Heart Association states all known heart diseases can lead to cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death. Most of the cardiac arrests that lead to sudden death occur when electrical impulses in the diseased heart become rapid (ventricular tachycardia) or chaotic (ventricular fibrillation) or both. This irregular heart rhythm causes the heart to suddenly stop beating. Brain death and permanent death start to occur in just four to six minutes after someone experiences cardiac arrest.
I strongly suggest becoming CPR certified if you already are not. In addition, becoming recertified on a yearly basis is very important. Technology and medicine are advancing everyday. Keeping up with new ways...
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