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Hands-Only CPR

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The American Heart Association endorses a Hands-Only CPR method for teens and adults who collapse anywhere outside of a hospital.

The AHA determined that by eliminating mouth-to-mouth, more bystanders might actively engage in CPR. The Hands-Only CPR technique is so simple, nearly anyone can do it.

There are two steps; first, call 9-1-1, or have someone else call, and remember to stay on the line with the operator until help arrives.

The second step; administer hard and fast pumps in the center of the chest. The AHA is looking for 100-120 pushes per minute, at a depth of about 2 inches.

Keep this routine up until help arrives, and, if you must stop, make sure to have someone take over for you.

About half a million people experience cardiac arrest each year, but less than 15% survive, according to MedPageToday. If these sad statistics don’t motivate, consider that one of the victims could be you. Get CPR certified today.

CAB is the new CPR

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For those who haven’t had to get or renew their CPR certification for awhile, you might be surprised to know that In 2010, the American Heart Association updated the CPR guidelines.

We once memorized Airway, Breathing and Compressions to administer CPR, but like most everything, advances give us reason to improve our methods.

We’re now learning, Compressions, Airway and Breathing; same words, different order.  This new order allows CPR to begin immediately, keeping the blood pumping to the brain and providing a better chance of survival.

Additionally, AHA has eliminated the Listen and Feel sequence, and replaced it with Look only. The rate of compression is now 100 beats per minute, and at least two inches deep.

With these new guidelines, the AHA hopes to encourage bystanders to take action faster.

Summer Safety and CPR

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During the summer, more outdoor activities occur and danger abounds. A casual swim in the lake or an accidental fall into a family pool can be fatal for small children and adults. We don’t mean to ruin your summer fun, but we do have a few tips to keep you and your family safe through the summer.

Put a gate on it.

We have read an unfortunate amount of tragic stories about drownings because a toddler wondered away for a moment and fell into a pool. In situations like that, moments can mean life or death. Putting a gate around your pool will give you some peace of mind as well as allow for children to know that the pool is unsafe for them to visit alone.

Supervise children closely near bodies of water.

A child can drown in even just a few inches of water, so it’s important that an adult is around at all times to be able to retrieve a child from the water in case of emergency. Community pools and some beaches have life guards on duty, but it’s easy for a drowning child to go unnoticed in a group setting.

Enforce speed/safety near the pool.

In addition to maintaining supervision of young children at the pool, enforcing strict rules is also vital. Children should not be allowed to run or rough house near a pool because hard surfaces make it easy for an injury or fall near the pool. Set rules early so children know the importance of pool safety.

Learn CPR

Perhaps the most important safety lesson you can have this summer is learning how to perform CPR properly. We read a news article recently about a mother who saved a stranger’s toddler in a community pool because she was the only one of the adults there who knew CPR. In fact, some of the adults were sticking their fingers down the child’s throat in hopes to get the water out. The woman, Jennifer Richardson of Boca Raton, FL, got to the child in time and began chest compressions immediately. Fortunately, the water came pouring out after chest compressions commenced and the girl made a full recovery.

CPR, when done correctly (or at all) can truly mean the difference between life and death. So, learn how to do CPR, and urge others to do the same. You never know when you’ll need to save a life.