CPR

 How would you feel knowing you could have helped save someone's life? Anytime, anywhere, whenever you are surrounded by other people, there is always the possibility of a medical emergency. In fact, you may be facing a medical emergency yourself. Medical emergencies range widely and can include: minor abrasions, lacerations, burns, heart attacks, strokes or complete cardiac arrest. has suffered a cardiac arrest.

Cardiac arrest is basically a sudden loss of heart function, incompatible with life. That person's heart is no longer working and needs to be repaired immediately to save that person's life. Part of the CPR process is the ability to recognize a medical emergency. During a cardiac arrest, a person is unresponsive, has no pulse and is not breathing. The moment a person goes into cardiac arrest, vital organs are immediately deprived of oxygen and waste products begin to encapsulate the heart muscle, causing severe damage. Every second counts during this severe cardiac event. It is very important to immediately assess the person and check if they are responding. It is also important to get first responders to the scene, either by having someone nearby, preferably by calling them, or by calling them yourself if no one is available.

There are now many classes you can take to learn CPR skills and to deal with other medical emergencies. I will not go into all the details of performing CPR. I am a CPR/First Aid instructor myself and I truly believe this is an important skill to have. Even if there is only one person on the scene who knows CPR, it can greatly improve the chances of survival for a person who has suffered a cardiac arrest. Additionally, when CPR is performed in a team approach, the process is much smoother. The best way to ensure this is to educate as many people as possible about CPR skills. The AHA, like many other organizations, offers affordable courses that teach the basics of CPR. Many community organizations also offer courses at minimal cost or even free. . In fact, many medical emergencies occur outside of a medical facility where a professional may not be present.

Cardiac arrest is a serious medical emergency where time and action are of the essence. Without any action, the person will not survive. Simply knowing and performing the basics of CPR can significantly increase a cardiac arrest victim's chance of survival. Take the time to learn CPR because a medical emergency can happen anywhere, anytime.