Why Everyone Should Know First Aid, CPR, and AED

Everyday we use skills that assist us in completing specific jobs and other skills that make life a little easier, but there is one specific skill that is very valuable for us to know yet very few do. The skill I believe is very important for everyone to know is First Aid/CPR/AED. Every day we are at risk of being involved in a natural disaster or accident whether work related or while we are driving down the road.

In fact the American Red Cross state the following reasons showing that it is important to learn CPR/AED

• 80% of Cardiac Arrests happen in the home
• Only 6.4% of Cardiac Arrest Victims survive because people witnessing the incident do not know CPR
• Over 200,000 people die of Sudden Cardiac Arrest every year.
• 50,000 of the 200,000 deaths yearly could be prevented
• For Every minute that an AED is unavailable, the victim has a 10% less chance of survival
• Once the heart stops beating, brain death occurs in 4 to 6 minutes. Performing CPR provides oxygen to the brain and other vital organs to give the victim the best chance of full recovery after EMS takes over. If CPR is given within the first four minutes of a cardiac arrest, the chances of survival double.

These can be found on their website at: http://redcrossrockriver.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/6-reasons-to-learn-cpr/

Benefits of learning CPR/First Aid/AED:

1. First Aid

a. In the case of lacerations or other minor injury you will be able to assist a friend family member or co worker.

b. You may be able to help assist in the case of shock upon arrival at an accident scene.

2. CPR/AED

a. You may be able to assist in the case of friend, co worker or loved one experiencing a stroke or heart attack.

b. If you know how to use an AED you give a person a 10% or better chance of living.

Cons of learning CPR/First Aid/AED:

1. One day of time spent in a classroom.

Picture this: You and your family are on the beach there is no life guard on duty at the time, but you and the kids decide to wade in the shallow water the white foamy waves splashing at your ankles when all of the sudden your youngest child gets swept out into deeper water by the undertow. Thankfully you're a good swimmer and are able to reach your child and swim to safety, however when you get them out of the water and she/he are not breathing what do you do? Most people panic and fall apart emotionally, however if you knew CPR you would know the proper steps begin with calling for help then you would know how to sweep the mouth and administer life saving techniques until EMS or other qualified personnel arrive on the scene; giving your child a chance to recover instead of having to place their small lifeless body in the ground.

Think about what you would do in this situation: You and a co worker are sitting down for a quick lunch and you notice the right side of your friends face seems to be drooping slightly, when you talk to your friend you realize that they have slightly slurred speech. You become a little worried and ask your friend if they are ok and their response is that they are feeling feint and weak. Your next move could save your friends life, what do you do? Or your walking through the store and your spouse begins feeling feint and has pains through their chest similar to heart burn, they continue shopping thinking that the last chili dog must have been too much; next thing you know is your spouse is laying on the floor an AED is available yet no one knows how to use it.

Just think of the consequence you would have to deal with for not taking advantage of the opportunity to learn CPR/First Aid/AED; how would you feel if you knew that you had the opportunity to save the life of your son, daughter, spouse, friend or co worker. Is it worth living day in and day out with knowledge of the fact that they are not with you any more because you chose not to learn a new valuable skill that could have saved their life? Or is their death worth whatever you did that day instead? It would truly be a shame if you had the opportunity to receive this valuable knowledge and chose not to take advantage of it. Do you want to take that chance?