GRAFTON — It is estimated that only about 10 percent of sudden cardiac arrest patients survive, but it has been shown in some communities that this number can be boosted much higher.
The increased survival rate can be attributed in significant measure to when and how CPR is administered. Often CPR is not initiated until emergency responders are on the scene.
As effective and diligent as their efforts may be, often too much damage has already occurred to the patient because of the lack of blood flowing to the brain.
If somebody at your home, place of work, or even on the street goes into sudden cardiac arrest, what do you do?
First, call 911 and help will be on the way. But, in that interim while you're waiting for EMS to arrive, there is something else you can do. You can begin CPR to keep the blood flowing and keep that person alive.
Dave Ross of Grafton Fire and Rescue says that anyone can easily learn this important skill so they will be prepared to help save a life.
A simple “bystander” hands-only, no-breath CPR training will be offered for free on Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m.
Ross says the training lasts about an hour, and will provide everything one needs to know about this easy-to-learn CPR technique, including use of an AED (automated external defibrillator).