Published: June 05, 2008 08:50 am      

This week declared CPR and AED Awareness Week

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Raising awareness of the benefits of learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation to save lives is the reason this week has been proclaimed CPR and AED Awareness Week.

“You would be surprised at the number of people who can’t perform CPR or even know what an [automated external defibrillator is] or even what one looks like,” American Red Cross Mid Southern Illinois Chapter program coordinator Peggy Irvin said.

According to information on the state proclamation for CPR awareness, there are 325,000 coronary heart disease deaths that happen outside the hospital or emergency room, with about 95 percent of the sudden cardiac arrest victims dying before arriving at a hospital. In 27.4 percent of the cases in which a cardiac arrest happens, the victim is located at a place other than a hospital and receives CPR from a bystander. Receiving CPR more than doubles the victim’s chance of survival by helping to maintain blood flow to the heart and brain. Performing CPR and using an AED are safe, easy to do and highly effective in restoring a normal heart rhythm, which significantly increases the chance of survival for many victims if used immediately after the onset of sudden cardiac arrest.

The local ARC offers three classes every month and schedules special classes within the community for anyone who has a request, Irvin said.

“We go into the community to clubs and businesses and do outreach to teach,” Irvin explained. “The course takes about four hours — a little more sometimes depending on the number of questions people have.”

The course includes training in CPR, first aid and AED use. To be certified in CPR, a person has to take a refresher course annually to keep up with changes in CPR recommendations. The first aid certification is good for three years, Irvin reported.

“Two years ago there was a major change in the ratio of breaths to chest compressions,” Irvin said. “Now it’s 30 chest compressions with two breaths. ... We teach CPR for adults, children and infants, first aid and AED all in one class.”

Irvin said people should be trained to use the AED, even though they are located in public places with directions for use.

“Most people don’t know how to identify one in a public place or workplace,” Irvin said. “There are three major ones on the market, and although each works about the same, we have all three of them available and explain the differences.”

Irvin said the national standards call for someone to start CPR and get to an AED and administer shock within four minutes before permanent, irreversible damage sets in.

According to information from the ARC and the American Heart Association, death or severe brain injury is likely to happen unless resuscitation measures are started no later than 10 minutes after onset of sudden cardiac arrest.

Additional information about CPR classes is available by contacting Irvin at 244-2083.