Learn CPR and Save a Life

June 3, 2021 Dawn Mangine

It is CPR and AED Awareness Week (June 1-7), a time to highlight the importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) device. Learning how to perform CPR and use an AED can be the difference between life and death.

One out of 20 people will suffer a cardiac arrest in their lifetime; fewer than 25 percent of people are prepared to jump into action to help that person survive the event. According to one study, when bystander CPR was administered to cardiac arrest victims, 22.9% survived until admitted to the hospital, and 11.9% were discharged alive. Compare that to rates of victims who received no bystander aid: 14.6% and 4.7%, respectively,

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For EMS Week in May, we published an article about layperson training, known as First On The Scene (FOTS) training.

First on the Scene Training (FOTS) is a course for EMS Certified educators to train bystanders on how to respond when an emergency happens. FOTS does not replace the need for EMS personnel or other first responders; rather, it instructs lay people on the appropriate steps to take to help someone until first responders can reach the scene.

In addition to knowing CPR and how to use an AED, people who take FOTS classes will learn how to:

Activate the 911 system
Administer naloxone (brand name Narcan®)
Administer epinephrine
Respond to life-threatening bleeding
Treat penetrating chest trauma
Move an injured person safely
Position an injured person

Hands-Only CPR

More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital each year.

18.8 percent occur in public settings
69.5 percent occur at home
11.7 percent occur in long-term care facilities

The sooner after someone collapses that CPR is initiated, the better the outcome is for the victim. However, many bystanders, even professionals, are sometimes hesitant to start CPR on a stranger. Even people with certifications in CPR are reluctant to do more than dial 9-1-1 and wait for EMS.

A few possible reasons for reluctance:

Afraid of being legally liable in case of injury
Not sure how to perform CPR
Afraid to put skills learned in class to test in a real-life situation
Do not want to touch a stranger

As Neal Murff tells students, “If you’re in a situation where CPR is necessary, the worst thing that can possibly happen has already happened.”

AHA Guidelines

As of January 31, 2019, all CPR manikins used in American Heart Association (AHA) adult CPR courses must feature an instrumented directive feedback device (IDFD). Devices such as these provide real-time, audio-visual feedback as the CPR is being performed, allowing student performance to be evaluated in an immediate and ongoing manner.

You can find a variety of adult manikins that meet the new AHA CPR feedback device requirement at www.pocketnurse.com. The following manikins and devices are in compliance: