Recently in La Plata county, citizen-initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation and a close-by automated external defibrillator have brought three people back from cardiac arrest. This is unusual because approximately 94 percent of people who go into cardiac arrest die.
May 21 through 27 is Emergency Medical Services week and the EMS community is celebrating these saves this week.
La Plata county has more than 350 AEDs in place around the county. They are in businesses, public buildings and all emergency vehicles. With visible written and audible voice instructions, anyone can use an AED on someone in cardiac arrest.
If you found a loved one on the floor unconscious and unresponsive, would you know what to do?
Many La Plata County residents are taking CPR classes to learn just what to do. Many areas of the country are increasing survival rates by having trained citizens and AEDs everywhere.
Heart Safe La Plata, a local nonprofit organization, is dedicated to bringing CPR education and AEDs into the community. Here is what they teach and what it takes to save a life:
1. Approach the person carefully and tap him or her to see if there is a response.
2. If unresponsive, call 911. Better yet, get someone else to call 911 so you can attend to the patient.
3. Check to see if he or she is breathing by tilting the head back to open the airway.
4. If the person is not breathing (even if you cannot tell), start chest compressions hard and fast (think, and sing out loud, the song “Stayin’ Alive.”)
5. If you feel comfortable, and have a barrier device, give two breaths every 30 compressions (30:2).
CPR courses in years past have taught complex breath and chest compression ratios, leading to some confusion on how to start. The American Heart Association has simplified it with compression-only CPR. Just push hard, fast and do not stop. Studies show that circulated blood keeps the heart alive for a shock from an AED that restores it to a normal rhythm. It is that simple!
6. When the AED arrives. Have someone turn it on by opening the cover. Most will simply turn on by opening, and some have a simple “on” button. Follow voice prompts from the AED, removing clothes and attaching the pads to the person’s chest as shown in the illustration. It will analyze, and deliver a shock only if it is needed.
7. Listen for your favorite sounds – the patient breathing again and/or sirens telling you EMS will be arriving to take over shortly.
8. Keep going. Studies have shown that good CPR that was started immediately after unconsciousness can keep a person alive for an hour or so. After two minutes, try to switch off with others to keep up strong compressions. Do not stop.
9. No matter what the outcome, people who attempt CPR will have long-lasting memories of the event. By taking a CPR class, you will have given yourself the best shot at saving a life. Of course, no one should feel at fault if an attempt at CPR is not successful; CPR, even when done properly and combined with an AED, does not always result in a life saved.
Heart Safe La Plata offers classes for businesses and schools and teaches a basic first aid and CPR class the first and second Wednesday of every month. Call (970) 799-3260 or email wkoons@frontier.net to sign up or for more information.
Bill Koons is an EMT-paramedic and Heart Safe La Plata coordinator.
