Hands Only CPR American Heart Association 7/23/20151

What is cardiac arrest? Cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating. Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. Over 350,000 people will suffer from sudden cardiac arrest this year. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere and at any age. 383, 000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital each year. 88% of cardiac arrests occur at home. 7/23/20152

Is cardiac arrest different from a heart attack? Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when electrical impulses in the heart become rapid or chaotic, which causes the heart to suddenly stop beating. Someone in cardiac arrest collapses and becomes unresponsive when you tap him and shout. The person stops breathing normally and may be gasping. A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is blocked. The victim may or may not lose consciousness. A heart attack may cause cardiac arrest. 7/23/20153

How do I know if someone needs CPR? When you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse, chances are they need CPR! ~Tap the person and shout, “Hey, are you okay? Are you okay?” ~If you do not get a response, begin the steps for “Hands Only” CPR! Even if the person is gasping for air in spurts, go ahead and perform CPR. 7/23/20154

What is “Hands Only” CPR? Hands only CPR consists of pushing hard and fast on the chest at a rate of at least 100 pushes per minute. How much can CPR improve the chances of survival? CPR can double or even triple a person’s chances of surviving. 7/23/20155

Why “Hands Only” CPR? The #1 reason people give for not performing CPR is because they think they may do it wrong!! REMEMBER!!! ~Any CPR is better than NO CPR at all! ~Your actions can only help! 7/23/20156

STEPS for “Hands Only” CPR After establishing the person needs CPR by tapping the person and asking, “Are you okay?”: 1.Assertively tell someone to call *If you are by yourself, call before starting CPR. 2.Start CPR. (Push hard and fast in the middle of the chest.) 7/23/20157

Things to remember when giving “Hands Only” CPR: Kneel beside the person. Put the heel of one hand in the middle of his/her chest. Put the other hand on top of the first. Push down hard (at least 2”). Don’t be afraid of pushing too hard! Let the chest rise back up after each compression. Continue compressions at a steady beat (“Staying Alive”= 100 beats per minute). Don’t stop CPR until help arrives or the person responds. 7/23/20158

Helpful Hints Get directly over the top of the person and keep your arms straight. This allows you to use your entire body which will make it easier. If you have help, take turns performing CPR without missing a beat if possible. It’s important to continue CPR until help arrives. 7/23/20159

What about giving rescue breaths? When a teen or adult suddenly collapses with cardiac arrest, his or her lungs and blood contain enough oxygen to keep vital organs healthy for the first few minutes, AS LONG AS someone provides high-quality chest compressions with minimal interruption to pump blood to the heart and brain! 7/23/201510

What is an AED? AED (Automated External Defibrillator) An AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia and is able to treat it through defibrillation. The average response time for first responders once 911 is called is 8-12 minutes. For each minute defibrillation is delayed, the chance of survival is reduced approximately 10%. 7/23/201511

Can anyone use an AED? An AED is designed so anyone can use it. Once you open the lid, the AED gives you instructions about what to do for each step. There are also visuals on the pads so you will know where to position them. It’s important to keep the AED attached to the victim until medical help arrives, even if the victim seems to be recovered. 7/23/201512

Place a self-adhesive pad on bare upper chest. Place a self-adhesive pad on bare lower chest. Make sure no one is touching the patient so the AED can get a reading. If a shock is advised, it will tell you when the machine is ready and when to push the button. If CPR is needed, it will tell you to continue. Steps for using an AED: 7/23/201513

AED’s… where are they? AED’s are located in many places with large populations of people, for example airports, shopping malls, sporting arenas. Just look for a sign like the one below. Every school in AISD is equipped with multiple AED’s. Do you know where the ones are located at our school? The sooner you get an AED on a victim, the better his/her chances of survival are! 7/23/201514

What is the Good Samaritan Law? It is legal protection for people who give reasonable assistance to those who are injured, ill, or otherwise incapacitated. The protection is intended to reduce bystanders' hesitation to assist for fear of being sued or prosecuted for unintentional injury or wrongful death. Do you think teaching “Hands Only” CPR will make people feel more comfortable about administering CPR? 7/23/201515

Don’t be afraid!!! Your actions may save a life! 7/23/201516