Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month: Would You Know What to Do if Someone Collapsed?
Every October, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month puts a spotlight on an emergency that can happen with little or no warning.
October 16 also marks World Restart a Heart Day, a global effort encouraging more people to learn CPR and feel prepared to respond to cardiac arrest.
For families, workplaces, schools and communities, these observances are a good reminder to ask a simple question: Would you know what to do if someone suddenly collapsed in front of you?
According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals in the United States each year. Most happen at home, and approximately 9 out of 10 people who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest do not survive. Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival.
That means the person who needs your help may not be a stranger. It could be your spouse, parent, child, coworker or friend.
What Is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
Sudden cardiac arrest happens when the heart's electrical system malfunctions and the heart suddenly stops beating effectively. When that happens, blood is no longer being pumped to the brain and other vital organs. A person experiencing cardiac arrest may suddenly collapse, become unresponsive and stop breathing normally. Without immediate action, cardiac arrest can become fatal within minutes.
Sudden cardiac arrest and a heart attack are also different conditions, even though people sometimes use the terms interchangeably. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked. During a heart attack, a person is often still conscious and breathing.
Cardiac arrest is an electrical problem that causes the heart to stop pumping effectively. The person is typically unconscious and not breathing normally. A heart attack can sometimes lead to cardiac arrest, which is one reason recognizing both emergencies is important.
What Should You Do if Someone Suddenly Collapses?
If an adult or teenager suddenly collapses and is unresponsive, quick action matters.
Call 911
Call 911 or have someone nearby make the call. Put the phone on speaker if you are alone so the dispatcher can help guide you.
Begin Hands-Only CPR
Place the heel of one hand in the center of the person's chest and place your other hand on top.
Push hard and fast.
Hands-Only CPR consists of continuous chest compressions without mouth-to-mouth breaths for a teen or adult who suddenly collapses.
The goal is to keep blood circulating until emergency medical services arrive or an automated external defibrillator, commonly called an AED, can be used.
Use an AED
If an AED is available, turn it on and follow the spoken instructions.
Many people hesitate to use an AED because they worry they might hurt someone or use the device incorrectly. AEDs are designed for members of the public to use and will analyze the person's heart rhythm before determining whether a shock is appropriate.
You do not need to decide whether the person needs a shock. The AED does that for you.
Why People Hesitate to Perform CPR
After more than 30 years of teaching CPR and emergency response, I have heard many of the same concerns. People worry about doing CPR incorrectly. They are afraid of hurting the person. Some assume someone else nearby will know what to do.
That hesitation can cost valuable time. You do not need to perform CPR perfectly to make a difference. Taking action while someone calls 911 and retrieves an AED can help keep blood flowing until professional responders arrive.
The American Heart Association reports that fewer than half of people experiencing cardiac arrest receive CPR from someone nearby before emergency responders arrive.
Changing that starts with more people feeling comfortable stepping in.
Most Cardiac Arrests Happen at Home
People often picture CPR being performed in a restaurant, airport or other public place.
In reality, most out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home. That changes the way we should think about CPR training. Learning CPR may ultimately prepare you to save someone in your own family.
What Is World Restart a Heart Day?
World Restart a Heart Day is recognized each year on October 16 and promotes CPR education and bystander action around the world. The message behind the observance is straightforward: more people surviving cardiac arrest depends in part on more people knowing how to respond before emergency professionals arrive.
The American Heart Association uses World Restart a Heart Day to encourage people to learn CPR and become part of its Nation of Lifesavers initiative. I strongly believe CPR is a skill that should extend well beyond healthcare professionals and first responders. The more trained people we have in our homes, schools, workplaces and communities, the better prepared we are when an emergency happens.
Take a Few Minutes to Prepare This October
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month is a good time to check your own level of preparedness. If it has been years since your last CPR class, consider taking a refresher. If your workplace has an AED, make sure you know where it is located. Parents should also talk with older children and teenagers about calling 911 and getting help during an emergency.
Businesses, schools, churches and community organizations can use October as an opportunity to provide CPR and AED training for their teams.
You may never need to perform CPR. If that moment does come, having the confidence to start can make an enormous difference.
Ready to learn CPR or refresh your skills?
Join me for a FREE webinar >> Free webinar: Learn Hands-Only CPR and How to Use an AED on Friday, October 16, for World Restart a Heart Day
CPR & Safety Lady provides CPR, AED, first aid and emergency preparedness training for individuals, families, schools, organizations and businesses. Contact Gail Gould to schedule CPR training for your group.
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