Each day more than one-thousand people receive CPR from bystanders, and less than ten-percent survive. But two brothers set out to change those numbers.

John and Christopher Di Capua wanted to improve the number of lives saved with CPR. So, they did what any inventive and forward-thinking high student would do—they built a machine that replaces the need for direct mouth-to-mouth.

Based on John’s research, he discovered that people don’t much like putting their mouth’s on someone else’s mouth, and that’s one of the reasons survival is so low for cardiac arrest victims outside of a hospital.

In a team effort, and over a matter of several years, the Di Capua brothers designed and built an automatic ventilation machine.

They demonstrated how to use the equipment to untrained people, and found that most could do it.

It’s called an AVAC, Automatic Ventilation with Assisted Compressions, and the price tag is under $150.

The brothers’ invention earned them high praise at the Intel Science Talent Search, a patent, and perhaps a name in medical history.

Check out this video. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/07/02/brothers-medical-device-heart-failure/12040335/

Firefighter Stu Tudor was struck by lightening walking across a parking lot yesterday. An EMT happened to be just behind Tudor and immediately checked for a pulse and breath, and started CPR.

“I’m sure there were five or six other people around there who knew CPR. I just happened to be the first one to get to him,” said the EMT.

Not everyone is lucky enough to be surrounded by friends and strangers who know CPR. Most cardiac arrests happen at home, where, sadly, CPR is not common knowledge.

If you haven’t yet discussed CPR with your children, or parents, now is a great time to start. Teach the Hands-Only version first. Demonstrate on a stuffed animal, or baby doll. Practice the skill a couple of times a week until your family feels comfortable with it.

As for Tudor, he’s in critical condition, but the CPR gave him a chance at living.

When Columbia, South Carolina firefighters found the unresponsive feline amidst the burning house, they didn’t hesitate.

They whisked Soldier outdoors and began chest compressions and CPR using an oxygen kit specifically for animals.

The unit is called the Wagn’N O2 Fur Life, and was donated to the fire department by members of the community.

The Fire Chief says his firefighters take life-saving very seriously, whether they’re saving a person or a pet.

The Wagn’N O2  Fur Life has been used several times already to save our hairy loved-ones. If you’re interested in donating to the Wagn’N 02 Fur Life fund, visit www.petoxygenmasks.org and selecting the Columbia Fire Department.