Time to refresh your CPR skills
Summer brings sunshine, travel, and fun with family and friends. But emergencies can happen when we least expect them. If someone nearby has a sudden heart problem, will you be ready to help? Now is the perfect time to learn or brush up on life-saving skills.
Cardiac arrest remains a leading cause of death in the United States, but immediate action can make all the difference. Learning CPR can help you double or even triple a person’s chance of survival. That’s why UHS has joined forces with the American Heart Association, in coalition with the American Red Cross and the National Safety Council, to champion CPR education and raise awareness about the vital role bystanders can play during a cardiac emergency.
Learning hands-only CPR can mean the difference between life and death for someone you love. Hands-only CPR is shown to be as effective as conventional CPR in the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest at home, at work or in public—and it’s done in just two easy steps:
Call 911 if you see an adult or teen collapse. The operator can guide you through what to do until help arrives.
Push hard and fast in the center of the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Many people feel more confident remembering the correct rate when trained to the beat of a familiar song, such as “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees.
The use of an AED (automated external defibrillator) also plays a critical role to help someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. An AED is a lightweight and portable device that delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart when it detects an abnormal rhythm, changing the heart’s rhythm back to normal.
As a healthcare leader in the Greater Binghamton region, UHS is committed to promoting essential education and resources regarding important health issues, including CPR and AED awareness.
LEARN MORE
You can learn more about cardiac emergencies and why learning CPR is essential by clicking here.
