Hands-only CPR saving lives

THE SIREN by JIM COLE

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Hands-only CPR saving lives

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posted 04/04/2008
CPR is saving lives in our community! There are many amazing stories of people here on San Juan Island who were saved by the quick response of a neighbor who started CPR until the EMTs arrived with the defibrillator. The American Heart Association has come out with a simplified guideline for "hands only" adult CPR which has shown to increase a person’s likely resuscitation.

So, if you see an adult suddenly collapse, use Hands-Only CPR: that's CPR without mouth-to-mouth breaths. And it can help save lives. It consists of two steps:

Immediately Call 911 (or send someone to do that).
Begin providing high-quality chest compressions by pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest with minimal interruptions.

The American Heart Association recommends conventional CPR (that is, CPR with a combination of breaths and compressions) for all infants and children, for adult victims who are found already unconscious and not breathing normally, and for any victims of drowning or collapse due to breathing problems.

To learn more about Hands-Only CPR visit: americanheart.org/handsonlycpr

Need to learn how to do CRP? Then, CONSIDER TAKING A CPR CLASS!

Each Friday, Chief Jim Cole from San Juan Island EMS will be writing an article on an important health and safety topic affecting our community. Jim has been a Nationally Registered Paramedic for over 20 years and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Community Health and a Masters Degree in Higher Education. Prior to coming to San Juan, he was the Director of the School of EMS for the Cleveland Clinic Health System. Suggestions for future topics can be sent to jimcole@sanjuanislander.com.