More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States each year, and during February’s American Heart Month, the American Heart Association (AHA) is urging the public to become “agents of change” by serving as the first responder until professional help arrives.
Nine out of every 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die, partly because more than half do not receive immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR. In rural areas, where emergency medical services (EMS) response times can be longer, quick action with CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) are vital to improving survival rates.
The AHA’s Nation of Lifesavers initiative encourages citizens to take charge of their personal health and community preparedness.
The association offers these suggestions:
- Learn CPR and join the Nation of Lifesavers: Individuals and families can take online or in-person CPR courses. The AHA offers a 90-second video to learn Hands-Only CPR for adults and another video for learning CPR with breaths for infants or children. More information, including new CPR guidelines, is available at heart.org/nation.
- Make a plan: A well-developed Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) can be critical during an emergency. CERPs establish specific steps to reduce death from cardiac arrest in any setting – including schools, workplaces, community organizations, or sports facilities. Resources are available at heart.org/cerp.
- Get Local: The AHA encourages community involvement through activities such as joining a local Heart Walk team, taking a CPR class, or ensuring local offices, schools, or churches have a CERP.
Bystanders only intervene in less than half of cardiac arrest incidents, often due to uncertainty or lack of training. However, immediate CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of surviving sudden cardiac arrest.
The AHA’s Nation of Lifesavers initiative aims to empower bystanders to become a vital link in the chain of survival. The AHA leads global efforts in public awareness, education, and policy change, and it serves as the scientific authority for official CPR and emergency cardiovascular care guidelines used worldwide.
To join the Nation of Lifesavers and raise awareness, visit heart.org/nation. The Nation of Lifesavers is nationally sponsored by Walgreens.
