It is the artificial method of circulating blood and oxygen through a body
and attempting to keep the brain alive. CPR does work. CPR extends
survival until more advanced care is available.
Why Learn CPR?
One in seven people will have the opportunity to use CPR in their
lifetime.
Anyone
can learn C.P.R.
You
are never too old to learn C.P.R.
People
with physical disabilities can performC.P.R.
You
can sign up yourself, or as part of a group from Work, Church, Social
Organization,
even a Doctor's Office.
Get-together
with your neighbors and take the class.
Its
easy, fun and will make a difference.
It will assist
your Firefighters in their dedication to saving lives
Age - risks increase with age, however, one in four deaths occur under age
65.
Factors that can be changed:
Smoking one pack a day increases heart attack rate two times over a
nonsmoker and stroke rate five times over a nonsmoker.
Hypertension - (high blood pressure) is a major risk factor but with no
specific symptoms. One in three adults or 58,000 Americans have high blood
pressure controlled by diet, exercise and medications.
Diet - high fat, high cholesterol foods cause plaque to collect on artery
walls constricting blood flow.
Other factors
Obesity - obese middle aged men have three times greater risk of heart
attack.
Lack of exercise - regular aerobics exercise at least three times a week.
Stress - A Type A personality, with a sense of urgency, drive and
competitiveness, has a greater risk.
Chest pain - can be an uncomfortable pressure, tightness or feeling of
indigestion, heavy squeezing pain like a weight on the chest, can radiate to
left arm and neck
Nausea/vomiting
Shortness of breath
Pale, sweaty cold skin
May have no signs or symptoms (silent Myocardial infarction)
Actions for survival
Recognize signals
Stop activity, rest, lay down
If pain lasts more than two minutes, call for help
Patient's having early signs often deny having a heart attack
Be prepared to do CPR, if alone do CPR for one minute, then call 9-1-1.
Prevention
Avoid smoking
Health diet (fiber, fruits, vegetables, avoid junk foods)
Less TV, more exercise
Know and control blood pressure and cholesterol level
The lungs function is to exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen.
Room air is 21 percent oxygen, exhaled air is 16 percent oxygen. We use only 5 percent. All body
organs and cells need oxygen to live.
During CPR, exhalation is due to normal relaxation of the chest.
The heart is the size of your fist with two separate halves (left and
right heart). The right heart receives blood from the body and pumps it
through the lungs back to the left heart. The left heart pumps fresh
oxygenated blood to all body parts.
The heart beats 60-100 times a minute, 100,000 times a day and pumps five
quarts of blood a minute or 1,800 gallons a day. Ninety percent of the time,
CPR will be done on a family member or close friend.
People do vomit and ribs do crack sometimes during CPR.
Never do blind finger sweeps in the mouth on anyone.
The victim should lie on a flat, hard surface.
If you are alone, do CPR for one minute, then call 9-1-1.
