Knowing CPR can literally mean the difference between life and death.
CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is one of the most important procedures you can learn to help save a life. Cardiac arrest can affect anyone at any age and can be caused by illness or accident. CPR helps return blood circulation to the heart and brain, increasing survival chances until emergency services arrive.
Accidents
Approximately 7 million people will experience some sort of serious injury in their own homes each year.
The American Heart Association estimates that, each year, nearly 7 million people will experience some sort of traumatic injury or accident in their own home. Accidents that may require the use of CPR include drowning, electrical shock, choking, and or acute allergic reactions. If a person stops breathing or his heart has stopped beating, brain death can begin within 4 to 6 minutes if CPR is not administered.
Survival Rate
Administering CPR can double the chances of survival.
Victims of cardiac arrest who receive CPR are more than twice as likely to survive than those who do not. According to the American Heart Assocation, for every minute CPR is not administered to an individual in need, her chance of survival decreases by approximately 10%. Death from cardiac arrest is not an absolute; with CPR, many lives can be saved.
Statistics
Check the AHA website for CPR training in your area.
Cardiac arrest accounts for approximately 138,000 deaths within one hour of the onset of an attack. Yearly statistics show that nearly 300,000 people will receive emergency services assistance for cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting. Whether disease-related or accident-related, knowing provide CPR resuscitation can greatly increase the rate of survival of a loved one or stranger.
