C P R...is probably the most widely recognized acronym in this country. Not everyone can recall the specific words behind the initials, but even grade-schoolers can identify the action they stand for.
CardioPulmonary Resuscitation is defined as "a basic emergency method of life-saving. Artificial respiration and heart massage is used to re-start the heart and lungs. CPR is performed for cardiac arrest, electric shock, overdose, and drowning."
Because permanent damage to the brain can result if the flow of oxygen-rich blood is interrupted for more than 6 minutes, it is critical that blood flow and breathing be kept up until trained help arrives. Sadly, although in eight out of ten cardiac emergencies are witnessed by a relative or a friend, only 15 percent of these witnesses know CPR.
American Heart Association statistics indicate that early CPR and rapid defibrillation -- combined with early advanced care -- can result in long-term survival rates for witnessed ventricular fibrillation as high as 40 percent.
Sudden cardiac death occurs from 700 to 1,000 times each day in this country and the timely application of CPR has been credited with helping to save thousands of lives each year. While there is no single agency in this country that compiles reliable national statistics about how many people get CPR, how many don't get it who need it, or how many people are trained to perform it, the AHA reports that more than 5 million people each year receive CPR training.
Red Oak Cardiovascular Center is doing its part in providing CPR training opportunities for patients and their family members, area residents, and youngsters in area public schools. In fact, Red Oak achieved Community Training Center designation from the American Heart Association earlier this year.
Between May 1, 1997 and April 30, 1998, Red Oak provided CPR training for 959 people! This number includes the youngsters training as part of the Kids Heart Patrol. In October, the Heart Patrol team went to Bammel Elementary to train approximately 100 5th graders. In December, about 250 6th graders at Tomball Beckendorf Intermediate School will learn CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver from Red Oak trainers.
DO YOU KNOW THE LIFE-SAVING TECHNIQUE OF CPR? Why put it off any longer? Call 1-888-5-HEART-5 for class schedules and sign up today. Perhaps you will be able to save a loved one's life.