For the Tomahawk Leader
WISCONSIN – Aspirus Health recently provided information on how to perform Hands-Only CPR.
National CPR and AED Awareness week is observed from June 1 through June 7 each year and serves as a reminder of the importance of learning these life-saving skills.
A release from Aspirus said 70% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes.
“Statistically speaking, if you are called on to give CPR in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you love: a spouse, a parent, a child or a friend, according to the American Heart Association (AHA),” Aspirus stated. “When a person has a cardiac arrest, survival depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby. Knowing how to perform Hands-Only CPR, which is a simplified version of conventional CPR, can be the difference between life and death.”
“Hands-Only CPR has two simple steps: call 911, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest,” said Amy Larson, CCP, EMS Outreach Coordinator with Aspirus MedEvac. “The outcomes we see after a call where a patient had that initial CPR without the delay of waiting for EMS personnel are vastly improved.”
Aspirus said this is because in the first few minutes someone is in cardiac arrest, chest compressions push remaining oxygen through the body to keep vital organs alive and buys time until someone with more skills can provide help.
The AHA suggests people may feel more confident jumping in to perform CPR if they can remember to push to the beat of a familiar song such as “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees, “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z or “Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash.
“The beat of these songs corresponds with the recommended push rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute,” Aspirus stated.
Individuals can become certified in CPR by taking a class in person or online. To find a local course, reach out to local technical colleges, visit www.aspirus.org/ems-training-ride-along-program or email Larson at [email protected].
