As we move into February, we celebrate American Heart Month. This celebration does not include sugary candy with words stamped onto it or cards sent to classmates, nor does it matter if you are partnered with someone. However, it does have hearts and includes those that we love.
The month intends to focus on heart health and what we can do to keep our hearts happily ticking for a long time. So, keep those New Year’s resolutions: eat your vegetables and work out. However, I want to focus on “Hand Only CPR” and that first responders need our community to do their part to buy us time.
Sudden cardiac arrest is different than a heart attack. Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to any person at any age. It is an electrical issue where a heart does not adequately pump blood throughout the body. The person drops to the ground suddenly.
As I have taught numerous Hands-Only CPR demonstrations to people of all ages, from scouting groups to independent living facilities, I initially see panic in the audience’s eyes when I begin my class. You can see them trying to remember which ratio of compressions to breaths they are supposed to do, the depth they are supposed to push, or how fast they need to go. What if they break a rib? Are they going to put their mouth on the stranger?
Hands-Only CPR is much simpler than all of that. An automatic external defibrillator (AED) is needed to reboot the heart’s electrical issue. However, compression-only CPR buys first responders time by pumping blood through the body and, most importantly, to the brain until they can arrive on the scene. Initially, there is enough oxygen in the blood to continue feeding the brain what it needs. Every time compressions stop, it takes minimally another six compressions to return blood to the brain. So, don’t stop.
Oh. The ribs? What’s the alternative? I hope that someone complains about their broken rib afterward. It means that they are alive.
For those worried about lawsuits, Good Samaritan Laws protects people attempting CPR. Here is more information:
Most times, we will be performing Hands-Only CPR on our loved ones. However, it could be someone at a faith-based center, a shopping center, or an athletic field. If it was your loved one, would you want a stranger to help them? So grab your family and learn “Hands Only CPR” via these videos. Oh, for those of my generation, the younger ones are finding better songs to do compressions to. Ask them. However, I would avoid “Baby Shark” unless you are a glutton for pain.
It is time to use your heart, be brave, and step up. It’s how we show our Colorado communities that we love them. Happy American Heart Month!
Resources:
- https://www.procpr.org/training/video/hands-only-cpr
- https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/hands-only-cpr.html
- https://cpr.heart.org/en/cpr-courses-and-kits/hands-only-cpr