newsThe life you save could even be your own
Make sure you know how
Make sure other family members know how
It was in the News! but didn't get a lot of attention...
There's an Update to CPR recommendations
This is the simple breakdown of what they now recommend;
First check if person is responding to questions
Have someone else call 911 and ask for resuscitation equipment
check chest and airway for breathing (tilt persons' head back, look, listen, feel)
ventilate twice (re: resuscitation techniques)
apply 30 quick & even CPR strokes to the recommended chest area
and repeat as needed
always watching for signs the person is breathing on their own. Stop when they are.
A good friend once told me a story about a good friend he lost; it was a sad story and one that haunts my friend somewhat.
He believes someone died only because persons present at the time simply didn't know CPR. It's a subject he feels strongly about - knowing how to help keep someone alive, at least until the proper medical care can be accessed.
CPR simply helps the heart get started and back into rhythm, ventillation keeps fresh oxygen pumping through the person's blood supply keeping vital organs and even the brain healthy and less likely to become damaged.
There may still be a lot wrong with a person, medically speaking, if a heart attack or stroke has taken place, but this life saving technique still gives the opportunity for professional medical help to have time to get to the person before all is surely lost.
It's like that story that a little aspirin can save a person's life...
It's just a little thing, and it seems so very worthwhile to know how to perform simple life saving skills.
It's worthwhile for a large segment of the population to be aware of these changes in the recommendations and there will be campaigns promoting these recommendations over the months to come.
If you have an opportunity to take classes on basic life saving skills - DO IT...
and let other people know what you learned - encourage others to take the class too if you're not comfortable passing the information on yourself. That little step could save your life or the life of someone you love!
