Mid-Carolina AHEC Shares Two Steps to Save a Life

If you are called upon to give CPR in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you love: a child, a spouse, a parent or a friend.  Sadly, most Americans (70 percent) feel helpless to act during a cardiac emergency because they don’t know how to administer CPR or they’re afraid of hurting the victim. 

Fortunately, “Hands-Only” CPR has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR for sudden cardiac arrest at home, at work or in public.  It can double or even triple a victim’s chance of survival!  This basic type of CPR has just two easy steps: If you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse:

(1) Call 9-1-1; and

(2) Push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of the disco song “Stayin’ Alive”. 

“Do what?” you may ask.  Information on the American Heart Association “Hands Only” CPR Fact Sheet can be a helpful first start in learning these techniques. The fact sheet can be found on the American Heart Association website.

For those who are interested in learning more, Mid-Carolina AHEC is an American Heart Association Training Center.  Currently, they have over 400 Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) instructors who taught over 12,000 students basic and advanced CPR in 2014.  Classes are taught to healthcare professionals and laypersons throughout Mid-Carolina’s 11-county service area.

To find out more information about training or how to participate, visit http://www.midcarolinaahec.org/american-heart-association.