Why is it important to take up CPR classes and training programs?
If you thought responding to medical emergencies, is only the responsibility of healthcare professionals, think again. We are living in an age, where health is given less priority and life conditions are deteriorating to the core. 5 out of 7 Americans are diagnosed with fatal health conditions, from obesity, diabetes to cardiovascular diseases. Over 36000 people suffer from non-traumatic cardiac arrests (irrespective of gender and age). The ratio between life and death amongst these incidents is 8:10. Sudden cardiac arrests are becoming the common cause of death in US alone, especially amongst adults. Around 70% – 80% incidents of cardiac arrests take place at home. In such situations, instant responsiveness and action should be maintained, in order to ensure the victim’s life. By the time, you dial 911 and the EMT arrives at the scene, conditions can become fatal. It is for these emergencies and to avoid fatalities, everyone should get trained in administering CPR and resuscitating victims.
Rapid responses increase the rate of survival. Bystander CPR can further increase the survival rate. However, the unfortunate facts show that only 70% Americans do not know how to perform CPR and are left helpless. It is alarming and therefore, important for everyone to take up CPR classes and training courses. These classes can save a life!
Who should take up CPR courses and classes?
CPR is the abbreviation for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and it is a manual procedure that enables the heart to pump again and lungs to pump oxygen again into the blood, when there is a sudden halt in heart functionality. CPR also ensures that brain and heart are not deprived of oxygen.
Learning CPR comes with its own set of benefits, especially for those who knows or is living with individuals suffering from some type of medical condition. People, who are in constant interaction mode with the public, should also take up and learn how to perform CPR. Along with them, adults and teens should also take up CPR classes. These classes and training protocols are provided by organizations – American Red Cross and American Heart Associations via numerous agencies, inclusive of schools, hospitals, communities and enterprises.
Along with CPR, the classes also teach the right ways to use AED or Automate External Defibrillators. This is a portable electronic device, which helps in diagnosing disturbances in cardiac rhythm in the victim with cardiac arrest.
CPR class – What does it consist?
- First Aid – A typical class is inclusive of acute cut, sprain, abrasion and burn care. Your instructor will tell you all about making a scene safe for yourself and the victim and also the right way to move the concerning victim. Through this part of the class, you will get to learn about the importance of calling for the right help.
- Heimlich maneuver – You will get to learn all about the functionality of Heimlich maneuver, learn its techniques, and ways to perform the same on infants, children and adults. You will also get to learn how to recognize when a person is choking and is in need of assistance and more.
- Chest compressions and breaths – The right CPR technique is the right combination of chest compressions and breath. You will get to learn everything about the technique and how to administer the same on infants, children and adults that with the help of dummies.
- AED – This part of a CPR class is inclusive of the training process for making use of an AED, which is an importance device for saving lives.
What do CPR classes teach?
A typical CPR class contains information and details about the Good Samaritan laws, personal safety, CPR, CABs, which is the current sequence of administering CPR on a person, choking and AEDs. There are programs that also add additional elements, like stroke and heart attack. Through CPR classes, people get certified with the basic life-saving expertise and skills.
A typical class offers a detailed procedure that students must follow. You will be provided with a manual and few tools, which you will need for the class. They are inclusive of plastic mouth shield, wet wipes and gloves. The next thing you need to do is read the manual thoroughly, which has every detail about CPR process, compressions, breaths, case studies and more.
Along with manuals and tools, you will be assigned with numerous videos. You will first have to watch the videos and then match them according the relevant materials. These videos show possible situations and problems that you might have to face, for example, encountering a choking victim, heart attack victim, accident victims and more. After you have successfully completed the video analysis session, you will have to go to the next course of practicing.
You will have to wear gloves and use other materials provided in the class and practice them on a dummy. Your instructor will show you the procedure and walk you through situations, where you might require using the procedures. You will be asked to practice the drill – Call, check and care. This protocol calls for checking up at the scene, calling out for assistance and then taking care of the victim. After this, you will have to practice giving compressions and breathing.
Once you have accomplished the practical sessions, you will have to sit for an exam. It is call CPR test, where you will require answering the question by writing them down. If you pass the CPR written test, you will get your certification.
You can get the necessary training, practice, tests, information and certification for CPR through the internet. More and more agencies are offering classes and training programs online, thereby making it easier for different individuals to learn this basic yet critical life training procedure!
We all hope never to use CPR on anyone and wish only good health, but having the knowledge and training of such a critical procedure will only ensure effective interventions of public health. At the end of the day, we all are responsible human beings!