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| Almost 80 percent of cardiac arrests occur at home and are witnessed by a family member. Currently the survival rate of cardiac arrest victims is approximately 6.4 percent. CPR can double a victim's chance of survival by maintaining vital blood flow to the heart and brain until more advanced care can be given. American Heart Association |
Most people don't know how to perform this lifesaving technique. Many have good intentions but never get around to taking the training. Now, a kit developed by the American Heart Association in collaboration with Laerdal, is available that allows you to learn basic life saving techniques in your own home in just 22 minutes. Families, friends, community groups, anyone can (and should) learn the techniques using this affordable kit.
The kit provides an instructional DVD, an illustrated how-to booklet, and a mini "Anne" (a head and shoulders dummy with an air passage and inflatable lung) on which to practice your chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth. It also includes information on how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED)in an emergency situation. Many public places now have AEDs.
One thing I like about this kit is that you can use it as a refresher anytime. I took a course many years ago but this gives me (or anyone) a chance to review the life saving techniques periodically, in my own home, on my own time.
The CPR Anytime kit is available in the United States through the
American Heart Association
and in Canada through the
Heart & Stroke Foundation.
This training could save the life of someone you love.
Note: This kit does not provide certification.
See someone in trouble - but don't know CPR?
Call 9-1-1 immediately - then start doing chest compressions right away and don't stop until emergency services arrive. This alone could save someone's life. According to a number of expert sources, if you don't know how to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or if under the circumstances you can't or won't do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the victim, applying rhythmic pressure to the chest will help keep some blood flowing through the body and could have an effect on the person's survival.The best plan, though, is still to take the time to learn proper life saving techniques.
