DON’T MISS A BEAT CPR TRAINING
You can help in the cardiac chain of survival: Learn hands-only CPR October 25
Knowing how to perform CPR is something you hope you’ll never have to use. However that skill can make a life-saving difference to your spouse, a family member, co-worker or a complete stranger. As many as 80 percent of cardiac arrests that occur outside a hospital happen at home, so being trained to perform CPR can mean the difference between life and death for a loved one.
As a local emergency department physician, I have seen the benefit of bystander CPR for victims of heart attacks and cardiac arrest. However Fort Wayne hospitals see far too few patients who have been able to benefit from this simple act. In 2005 and 2006, only 17 percent of all cardiac arrest victims who suffered the event outside of a hospital received bystander CPR. Effective bystander CPR provided immediately after a cardiac arrest can double a victim’s chance of survival. CPR buys time for the victim of sudden cardiac arrest by maintaining blood supply to the heart and brain. This is especially true during the first 3 to 5 minutes after collapse from cardiac arrest.
Bystander CPR is a vital part of the chain of survival for cardiac arrest victims. Calling 911 for emergency help, early access to defibrillation and advanced care via the emergency medical system make up the rest of the chain of survival. Fort Wayne has remarkable use of 911, access to defibrillation and the response of emergency personnel. The part that is missing is more people knowing to perform life-saving chest compressions until professional help arrives. The Three Rivers CPR Task force is committed to dramatically increase the number of people trained in CPR in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Our goal is to improve the survival of all cardiac arrest victims and to make our city one of the safest cities in the country. But we can only do this with your involvement.
The City of Fort Wayne, the Three Rivers Ambulance Authority, the American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana, Focus on Health, Fort Wayne/Allen County Department of Health, Parkview Health and Lutheran Health Network have teamed up for Don’t Miss a Beat, free hands-only CPR training Oct. 25 at the Regional Public Safety Academy, 7602 Patriot Crossing.
The 75-minute class, which is not a CPR certification course, will train those 16 and older how to perform life-saving chest compressions. The event will also have a Red Cross bloodmobile and demonstrations from the Fort Wayne Police Department.
To register for the free training, send in the registration form that came with your September City Utilities bill, stop by any Fort Wayne fire station from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., visit any Fort Wayne Kroger or Scott’s store or go online to 3rcpr.org.
The cardiac chain of survival is truly a team effort. As an emergency department doctor, who has seen what can happen, I ask that you know what to do in case of cardiac arrest. Come out and get trained in hands-only CPR October 25.
> Read More Information About Us
> More Articles Written By Our Staff
- Celebrating 20 Years Of Community At The Stand - April 12, 2024
- First Positive Case Of Chronic Wasting Disease In Indiana - April 12, 2024
- Southwest Allen County Schools Embark On Major Tree Plantings - April 12, 2024