Hey guys, this year I am participating in the Heart Walk with my company. If you want to donate and help me reach my goal, I would be forever grateful!
I'm participating for my family. I have had one too many family members experience a heart attack and/or sudden cardiac arrest so when it comes to heart health, it's an important subject for me. I will be walking for those family members!
If you're not CPR trained.... go get it done!! Message me and I will find a free hands-only CPR class for you. Most fire departments offer them. When I worked at 911, it was obvious to me that death could strike at any given moment and the vast majority of callers never saw it coming whether it be to a family member, friend or a stranger.
The most important thing when it comes to cardiac arrest is getting hands on the chest as quickly as possible. By getting hands on the chest before EMS arrives, you double and can even triple the chances of survival in an individual who is in sudden cardiac arrest.
The dispatch center I worked for always asked two questions first on every single 911 call that was for a medical. Is the patient conscious? Is the patient breathing NORMALLY? If no, go! (start CPR) The goal was to get CPR started as soon as possible because literal seconds count. The irreversible damage that is caused to the brain and other vital organs of the body by not receiving oxygenated blood is tremendous and it happens VERY quickly.
In the state of Utah, 45.2% of cardiac arrests are bystander witnessed compared to 37.1% which is the national average. Utah has a 9.7% out of hospital CPR success rate and the national average is 9.0%
I know life is busy, but please... take a couple hours of your life and obtain at least some type of training in hands-only CPR and take the class with friends or family, it makes it more fun! If you want to take it a step further, take a Stop the Bleed class as well!
I pray you never have to witness somebody in cardiac arrest but due to the delicacy of life, the reality is that you could find yourself in that situation. Do not only other individuals a favor by getting trained but do it for yourself as well so that if you ever find yourself in a tragic situation and have to call 911, the instructions the dispatcher gives to you over the phone will be somewhat familiar and you will be better prepared.
If you want more information about this topic or where to take a CPR class, please don't hesitate to send me a message. Feel free to share this post if you would like.