subject: Why Knowing CPR is Important [print this page] In the past, we've discussed instances in which CPR would be important. In athletics, for example, coaches and players should be able to respond to an emergency quickly, particularly as the heat and excessive training has brought on incidents of cardiac arrest on high school teams. Also in schools, both students and teachers should be trained in CPR and operating an AED in case an instructor or classmate needs the assistance. The more people are trained in a skill, the more likely a stranger will be able to help a victim. But, while these instances all involve being around large groups of people, what happens when you're on your own?
A recent article mentions an alarming statistic: 80 percent of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in a residential setting, and 95 percent of these victims die before reaching the hospital. Knowing CPR, however, can help a cardiac arrest victim before the paramedics arrive. In the case of the article mentioned above, a 38-year-old father of five children had a cardiac arrest with no warning signs or symptoms, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. CPR was administered quickly and the paramedics arrived soon. At this hospital, doctors revived his heart in 45 minutes.
As this incident shows, family members should be prepared with CPR training. Although not entirely isolated, a person having a heart attack in his or her own home has limited resources in such an instance. Family members, particularly those with older relatives, should be trained in CPR and AED operation. However, as this new story mentioned, even a person who seems healthy on the surface may be at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. The more knowledge the average person and family member has, the greater the chances of survival will be.
