No one wants to be in a situation where someone's heart stops or they suddenly stop breathing. But knowing what to do if it does happen could make all the difference in the world. And luckily, you don't need a degree in medicine to help. For many situations, familiarity with CPR may be enough to get you ready to assist someone in need.
CPR, which stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, can be a lifesaving procedure when administered in time. Unfortunately, many people are worried about performing CPR in an emergency. To encourage people to help, the American Heart Association has started a campaign called Hands-Only. The campaign provides a basic CPR method for people who have not been trained.
Standard CPR consists of two parts: chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth breathing. Hands-Only teaches people to immediately call 9-1-1 and then begin hard and fast chest compressions. You can watch a quick demo of the method on the Hands-Only Web site.
While relatively easy, the Hands-Only technique should only be used for adults who suddenly collapse — not for infants, children or anyone who is discovered unconscious. Take a few minutes to check out the Hands-On demo, or better yet, visit the American Heart Association Web site to locate a CPR class near you. You'll never have to be afraid to help out again.
Photo courtesy Microsoft Clipart Gallery
1 comment:
good tip -- i am one of the people who always feel underqualified to do CPR. This knowledge will help me (and perhaps others)!
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