Learn CPR and you may save a life

When you think of a first responder, you may think of people like firefighters, police officers and emergency medical services teams. However, any one of us can be nearby when someone suffers from cardiac arrest — which is why it’s so important to learn CPR.  

This American Heart Month, the American Heart Association is encouraging people to join the Nation of Lifesavers™ by learning CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The association has a goal of doubling the survival rate of cardiac arrest outside of a hospital by 2030. 

According to CARES (Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival), of those who experienced cardiac arrest outside of the hospital in the United States, only 41.7% received CPR from a bystander, and only 10.5% made it home from the hospital.  

The American Heart Association and the American Red Cross offer CPR training classes. 

Even those who aren’t certified may still be able to save a life by calling 911 and providing hands-only CPR at a rate of about 100 compressions per minute for an adult or teen who has collapsed and is not breathing.    

 “Learning CPR and knowing how to use a public access AED saves lives,” said Charles Dolan, PhD(c), DHSc, MBA, MS, NRP, CPHQ, CPHRM, PHR, FRSPH, FACHE, vice president of clinical operations and chief safety officer at TidalHealth. “In cardiac emergencies, bystanders are often the first on scene, and early CPR combined with rapid AED use can dramatically improve survival. These skills give community members the ability to act immediately until emergency responders arrive.” 

The organization installed an AED at the Salisbury City Park Bandstand, and TidalHealth has supported the Salisbury Paramedic Foundation in its efforts.  

The Salisbury Paramedic Foundation will also host its third annual 5K fun run and walk on Saturday, May 9, at 9 am at the Salisbury City Park to benefit its work, including the public access AEDs and scholarships. To learn more, visit this link. 

The American Heart Association says people are less likely to aid women because of potential accusations. As of a 2017 study, 39% of women in need received CPR, while 45% of men did — which meant men also had a higher survival rate, the American Heart Association shared.  

“Prepared communities are safer communities,” Dolan said. “Supporting CPR training, public access AEDs, and organizations like the Salisbury Paramedic Foundation helps ensure lives can be saved when every second counts.”