Get Involved And Save A Life!

Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Article Date: 04 Apr 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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The American Red Cross encourages everyone to learn the skills that could save a life. Although the importance of being trained in first aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation(CPR) and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) cannot be underestimated, the Red Cross also encourages those unwilling, unable, untrained or unsure how to perform full CPR (cycles of chest compressions and rescue breaths) to instead perform Compression-Only CPR.

Compression-Only CPR involves giving continuous chest compressions (at the rate of 100 compressions per minute) without rescue breaths.

"In any life-threatening emergency, the most important thing a bystander can do is call 9-1-1 right away. If you witness an adult that suddenly becomes unconscious and shows no signs of life (normal breathing and movement) and you are not confident in your ability to perform full CPR, Compression-Only CPR should be performed." says David Markenson, MD, Chair, American Red Cross Advisory Council on First Aid, Aquatics, Safety and Preparedness.

Last summer, the Red Cross released the First Aid and CPR for Everyone kit - a resource for teaching yourself and practicing Compression-Only CPR. The First Aid and CPR for Everyone kit is a portable, reasonably priced practice tool that can be used at home, in the office, in classrooms or anywhere it is convenient to practice your skills. The box set features an illustrated guide to demonstrate hand placement on the chest and a compression practice tool to help measure just the right amount of pressure needed to properly administer chest compressions.

Other items included in the kit are a full-length DVD, with easy to follow outlines for basic first aid, building a first aid kit, warning signs of a stroke and what to do in a cardiac emergency. The accompanying Red Cross Emergency First Aid Guide is a useful tool to quickly reference the skills demonstrated on the DVD. As a bonus, the kit comes with the Emergency Action Steps Wallet Card, which offers instructions and a full pictorial on how to help someone suffering a cardiac emergency.

As the nation's leading provider of CPR training, the Red Cross developed the First Aid and CPR for Everyone kit to address the merits of Compression-Only CPR and the public's concern for performing rescue breaths. While this innovative product is not intended to replace the skills learned or the certification gained by participating in a Red Cross training course, the product allows the public to become familiar with lifesaving information and skills.

More than 300,000 Americans suffer from Sudden Cardiac arrest each year. This summer, the American Red Cross chapters across the country will reach out to their communities and promote the importance of learning CPR during the first National CPR and AED Awareness Week, June 1-7.

"The Red Cross has set a goal to reach at least 250,000 people with lifesaving information during National CPR and AED Awareness Week," says Scott Conner, Senior Vice President of Preparedness and Health and Safety Services at the American Red Cross. "Having a week where the nation's attention is focused on the importance of knowing lifesaving skills will bring us one step closer to our mission of having at least one person in every household trained and certified."

First Aid and CPR for Everyone, along with other unique first aid and preparedness products and gifts, can be purchased online through the Red Cross online store or at your local Red Cross chapter. To find out how to receive full Red Cross First Aid and CPR/ Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training and certification, contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, collects and distributes nearly half of the nation's blood supply, teaches lifesaving skills, and supports military members and families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time, money and blood to perform its humanitarian mission.

American Red Cross