The Power is in Your Hands

Learn Two Steps to Save a Life with Hands-Only CPR

Did you know that 70 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes? Statistically speaking, if you are called on to give CPR in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you love: a spouse, a parent, a child or a friend, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

When a person has a cardiac arrest, survival depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby. Knowing how to perform Hands-Only CPR, which is a simplified version of conventional CPR, can be the difference between life and death.

 

“Hands-Only CPR has two simple steps: call 911, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest,” says Amy Larson, CCP, EMS Outreach Coordinator with Aspirus MedEvac. “The outcomes we see after a call where a patient had that initial CPR without the delay of waiting for EMS personnel are vastly improved.”

 

This is because in the first few minutes someone is in cardiac arrest, chest compressions push remaining oxygen through the body to keep vital organs alive and buys time until someone with more skills can provide help.

 

The AHA suggests people may feel more confident jumping in to perform CPR if they can remember to push to the beat of a familiar song such as “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees, “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z or “Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash. The beat of these songs corresponds with the recommended push rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.

 

National CPR & AED Awareness week is observed June 1-7 each year and serves as a reminder of the importance of learning these life-saving skills.

 

You can become certified in CPR by taking a class in person or online. To find a course near you, reach out to local technical colleges, visit www.aspirus.org/ems-training-ride-along-program or contact amy.larson@aspirus.org.

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