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Be a Heart Hero -- Take 90 Seconds to Learn Hands-Only CPR
Hands-Only CPR Can Save a Life
Sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating unexpectedly. Cardiac arrest causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and disrupts the flow of blood to the brain, lungs and other organs – is a leading cause of death. Each year, more than 350,000 EMS-assessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States.
When a person has a cardiac arrest, survival depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby. According to the American Heart Association, about 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.
Sadly, only about 46 percent of people who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest receive the immediate help that they need before professional help arrives.
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About 70 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes. If you are called on to give CPR in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you love: a child, a spouse, a parent or a friend.
Since 2008, the AHA has recommended Hands-Only CPR which is CPR without breaths, for teen and adult victims of cardiac arrest.
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It teaches two basic steps: First, call 9-1-1, and then push hard and fast on the center of the chest until professional help or an AED arrives. The AHA encourages everyone to view a 90-second Hands-Only CPR instructional video at www.heart.org/handsonlycpr.
In 2009, the American Heart Association launched a nationwide Hands-Only CPR campaign to raise awareness about this life-saving skill. The campaign is supported nationally by an educational grant from the Anthem Foundation. Since 2012, nearly 10.1 million people have been trained in Hands-Only CPR via events, training kiosks and video education with the Anthem Foundation’s support.
The American Heart Association is the worldwide leader in CPR resuscitation science and training. For nearly two decades, the Heart Association advocated for the CPR in Schools Law which went into effect in 2016 in New York State. The law ensures that all high schools students receive Hands-Only CPR training prior to graduation. Thirty-eight states now have lifesaving CPR in Schools laws.
