3 Decisive Reasons to Learn CPR

CPR is short for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and it saves up to 200,000 American lives a year. Performing CPR immediately upon cardiac arrest (i.e., while waiting for professional help) can double or triple someone’s chances of survival. Clearly, saving lives is one of the top reasons to learn CPR.

Unfortunately, only about 46% of people who experience cardiac arrest outside the hospital receive the immediate help they need before professionals arrive. Ultimately, 90% of them die. 

Getting certified in CPR can help fill that void. 

It gives the 350,000 Americans who experience CSA outside the hospital each year a fighting chance at survival. 

These statistics illustrate the life-saving benefits of being CPR certified, but here are a few more reasons to seek out training. 

3 Reasons to Learn CPR Right Now

1. Save a life

Waiting for EMS personnel to respond to a sudden cardiac arrest (CSA) results in only a 5-7 percent survival rate. That rate can jump to as high as 60 percent when CPR is administered in the first five to seven minutes.

The out-of-hospital chain of survival starts with you. And the fact that 88% of cardiac arrests occur at home means you could literally save a loved one’s life.

Whether it’s a family member who goes into cardiac arrest or a stranger on the street, recognizing it and activating the emergency response system is crucial to their survival. This means calling 911 and asking if the person is OK. If there is no response, move onto performing CPR steps.  

Emergency Response System

When you administer CPR, focus on chest compressions. Then, the only step that stands between you and emergency responders is rapid defibrillation. 

Many offices and public buildings have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on hand. This easy-to-use medical device analyzes the heart’s rhythm and administers an electrical shock (defibrillation), if necessary. This helps the heart re-establish a consistent rhythm. 

For every minute defibrillation is delayed, the person’s odds of survival decrease by about 10%. And the average response time is 8-12 minutes once 911 is called. That’s why AED training is covered in both CPR and BLS certifications. 

While saving lives is one of the greatest reasons to learn CPR, we know it can sound intimidating. If you’re apprehensive about getting certified, perhaps these other reasons will encourage you to take the risk!

2. Gain confidence in emergency situations

Let’s just say it – the thought of performing CPR can be scary. Terrifying, even. If you imagine yourself in an emergency situation, are you hesitant to help? 

Once you know how to interpret an emergency, perform CPR, and use an AED, that hesitation will disappear. You’ll be prepared to step in and use life-saving techniques to drastically improve the chances of survival for whoever you are helping. 

Whether you’re walking through the mall or enjoying a meal with family, YOU will have the skills to potentially save a life. Save. A. Life… Talk about a confidence boost! 

3. Increase your value in the office

About 10,000 cardiac arrests occur in US workplaces each year. Yet, only 50% of employees can locate an AED at work. 

Need we say more? Your office should have a documented internal emergency response plan that includes steps to take in common emergency situations, including cardiac arrest. 

This also points to the need for corporate CPR classes, which only 45% of employees are able to obtain from their employers. And, when training is available, it often covers either CPR or first aid, not both. 

 

Enter Cover-Tek. We offer certified CPR and safety training to prepare employees for emergencies. Call today to schedule your onsite CPR training!