Why It Matters to You

Learning CPR can save lives. People die every day from cardiac arrest, due to drowning, smoke inhalation, and many other causes because family members, friends, and bystanders don't know how to respond effectively in order to reactive blood flow to prevent brain damage or death. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is easy to learn, and classes are available all over the United States to instruct people how to deal with cardiac arrest and/or ceased breathing. Simple maneuvers, such as chest compressions of about 100 per minute and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (where the emergency assistant simply breathes small amounts of air into the victim's mouth), can aid in saving in many lives.

Emergency response steps in cases of cardiac arrest:

1. Call 911 immediately.

2. Perform chest compressions at a rate of 100 per minute (mouth-to-mouth resuscitation incrementally).

3. When the paramedics arrive, provide them with necessary information regarding the time period since the collapse or cardiac arrest and actions taken between the time they were called and arrival.

Learning CPR is a simple way to save a life. It offers immediate emergency assistance during the critical first few minutes after breathing has ceased. Just by administring CPR, one can prevent brain damage due to lack of oxygen until help arrives, thus possibly ensuring not only the survival of the victim but their return to a normal life.