When a stroke or cardiac arrest occurs, every second counts. Each passing minute without oxygen and blood flow to the brain brings significant risks, which can result in permanent damage and even death. Knowing what to do in these emergency situations can make all the difference.
These skills are not only important in the workplace, but in your daily life as well. You never know when you may need to apply these skills, so staying on top of them is incredibly beneficial. Today, let’s discuss more about the importance of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillators (AED).
What is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)?
A lifesaving technique, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is used in emergencies such as a heart attack, or in an instance where an individual’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. Knowing what to do, and how to do it properly, could mean the difference between life and death for the person in need.
CPR serves a critical role as it helps keep blood flowing to the brain and other organs while awaiting medical treatment. Without this oxygen rich blood flow, brain damage can occur in just a few minutes.
What is an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)?
An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a medical device that can be used to aid those in cardiac arrest. If needed, it delivers an electric shock (defibrillation), which will help the heart return to a regular rhythm.
“Each year in Canada, an estimated 60,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital. The vast majority of cardiac arrests happen in public places or at home, and only one in 10 survives. But survival rates can double if someone takes fast action and performs CPR and uses an automated external defibrillator (AED).” –Heart&Stroke
Knowing how to use this device, whether it be in the workplace, in public, or at home, is helpful in case of emergency. The American Red Cross states that the chances of survival for every minute defibrillation is delayed, are reduced by approximately 10%.
Rapid access to defibrillation is therefore critical to increased survivability.
How can I be prepared?
Freshly learned skills such as CPR and AED can quickly fade if they are not kept up to date. It is recommended that everyone take a Standard or Emergency First Aid course every three years.
In addition, keep your first aid and CPR textbook handy and have a quick read through it about three months after you have completed your course. DF Safety offers an online AED/CPR Awareness Course, which provides valuable skills review and practice using realistic scenarios to help you feel confident and ready to respond to an emergency.
With 60,000 cardiac arrests occurring outside of a hospital each year in Canada, these life saving skills could be the difference between life and death. You never know when you might be in a situation where knowing what to do, and having the education to help someone in an emergency situation will be needed.
If you have questions about our AED/CPR Awareness Course, or other online courses we offer, please contact our team today.