Would You Know How to Treat Cardiac Arrest? USA promotes National CPR/AED Awareness Week - 1-7 June 09

As the USA gears up for National CPR/AED Awareness Week from today 1st June through to 7th June 2009... a week dedicated by the US Congress to raising awareness... it made me wonder just how many of us really know what to do when faced with a family member/friend/colleague who has a Cardiac Arrest in front of us?
A Cardiac Arrest occurs when the heart stops beating. More and more businesses, schools and shopping centres have Automated External Defibrillators (AED's) on site, as research clearly shows that the prompt application of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR... that thing you do when you press on someone's chest and then breath into their mouth!) and an AED increase a person's chance of survival.

When a person goes into cardiac arrest, in most cases, the heart will fibrillate (this means it will shake; I describe it as "like a jelly, wobbling on a plate"). The only way to stop fibrillation of the heart is with a de-fibrillator (AED for short) An AED provides a carefully controlled, electrical impulse (shock) to the heart to get it to start working again. The prompt application of an AED with CPR can improve survival rates - that's why it is so vital that you, as a First Aider, call an ambulance as soon as you realise what is wrong with the person.

So let's work alongside our US cousins across the Big Pond, and update our knowledge on the treatment for someone in Cardiac Arrest. Ask your family members if they know...and if they don't know what to do, help educate them by explaining the importance of help and encouraging them to do a First Aid training course... your life might depend on it.

Until our next encounter... Keep happy, healthy and safe.