CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is an emergency lifesaving procedure that is performed when a person's own breathing or heartbeat have stopped, such as in cases of electric shock, heart attack, or drowning. CPR is a critical part of the ABC's of first response:

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPR combines rescue breathing and chest compressions. Rescue breathing provides oxygen to the person's lungs. Chest compressions keep oxygen-rich blood circulating until an effective heartbeat and breathing can be restored.

 

Permanent brain damage or death can occur within minutes if blood flow stops. Therefore, it is critical that blood flow and breathing be continued until trained medical help arrives.

 

CPR techniques vary slightly depending on the age or size of the patient

 

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) The number of non institutionalized adults with diagnosed heart disease: 26.6 million.   The Percent of non institutionalized adults with diagnosed heart disease: 12%(1) 

 

The chances of a victims survival is 7 percent to 10 percent less for every minute CPR is delayed.  About 80 % of all out of hospital cardiac arrests occur in private residential settings.(2)  CPR could make the difference between life and death of a loved one, friend or even someone you do not know.

 

 

A form of "self-CPR" termed "Cough CPR" was the subject of a hoax chain e-mail entitled "How to Survive a Heart Attack When Alone" which wrongly cited "ViaHealth Rochester General Hospital" as the source of the technique. Rochester General Hospital has denied any connection with the technique.

 

Rapid coughing has been used in hospitals for brief periods of cardiac arrhythmia on monitored patients. One researcher has recommended that it be taught broadly to the public.  However, “cough CPR” cannot be used outside the hospital because the first symptom of cardiac arrest is unconsciousness in which case coughing is impossible, although myocardial infarction (heart attack) may occur to give rise to the cardiac arrest, so a patient may not be immediately unconscious. Further, the vast majority of people suffering chest pain from a heart attack will not be in cardiac arrest and CPR is not needed. In these cases attempting “cough CPR” will increase the workload on the heart and may be harmful. When coughing is used on trained and monitored patients in hospitals, it has only been shown to be effective for 90 seconds.

 

CPR to U and other resuscitation bodies do not endorse "Cough CPR", which it terms a misnomer as it is not a form of resuscitation.

 

 

 

An automated external defibrillator or AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in a patient, and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electrical therapy which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm.

 

AEDs are designed to be simple to use for the layman, and the use of AEDs is taught in many first aid, first responder and basic life support (BLS) level CPR classes.  If you are interested in an AED class, please contact us.

 

 

CPR to U covers the Dallas and Fort Worth metroplex. Dallas County, Collin County, Tarrant County and Denton County.  Including, but not limited to: Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Frisco, Fairview, Lucas, Melissa, Richardson, Garland, Mesquite, Murphy, Rockwall, Carrollton, Denton, The Colony, Lewisville, Lancaster, DeSoto, Duncanville, Sunnyvale, Forney, Irving, Grapevine, Southlake, Arlington, Flower Mound, Colleyville, Hurst, Euless, Bedford, Keller, North Richland Hills, Trophy Club, Roanoke, Addison, Coppell, Frisco, and McKinney.  If your city is not listed, please contact us to confirm. 

 

 

Basic life support (BLS) is a level of medical care which is used for patients with life-threatening illness or injury until the patient can be given full medical care. It can be provided by trained medical personnel, including emergency medical technicians, and by laypersons who have received BLS training. BLS is generally used in the pre-hospital setting, and can be provided without medical equipment.  You will need a BLS level of certification, only if you are required by your employer.  Typically, required in the medical fields.

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2008, tables 1,2.

(2)American Heart Association CPR Facts and Statistics.