CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. CPR is an emergency procedure geared toward attempting to restart a stopped heart and save a life.  Performing CPR immediately following a cardiac event triples the chance of survival.

Yearly 335,000 people die as a result of cardiac arrest in the USA alone. Increasing the number of non-medical individuals who know CPR can be a giant step in lowering that mortality rate.

There are two versions of CPR:

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS

Conventional CPR using chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth breathing at a ratio of 30:2 compressions-to-breaths. In adult victims of cardiac arrest, rescuers perform chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120/min and to a depth of at least 2 inches for an average adult.

GENERAL PUBLIC

For the general person who see an adult suddenly collapse they are to use compression-only CPR, or Hands-Only CPR. Hands-Only CPR is CPR without mouth-to-mouth breaths. It is recommended for use by people who see a teen or adult suddenly collapse in a public setting where there is no medical help readily available.

Hands-Only CPR consists of two easy steps:

1. Call 9-1-1 (or send someone to do that)
2. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest

There are five critical components:

1. Minimize interruptions in compressions
2. Make sure that compressions of adequate rate and depth
3. Avoid leaning on the victim between compressions
4. Ensure proper hand placement
5. Avoid excessive ventilation

While general directions are helpful and mentally understanding and knowing what to do important, because this is a potentially stressful, scary, and triggering situation where you need to push past shock and fear in order to react, possibly having someone’s life in danger we highly recommend that everyone take a CPR class.

You can find a class near you by going to https://atlas.heart.org/home

It is our professional opinion that everyone can benefit from learning the CPR technique. You never know whose life you may save. 

The doctors at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates thank you in advance! www.Tampacardio.com 813-975-2800. We are here for all of your cardiovascular needs!