CPR Information

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CPR Facts

Following is important information about CPR and what to do if you witness someone collapse:

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

• Less than one-third of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest victims receive bystander CPR.
• Effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, can double or triple a victim's chance of survival. Administering chest compressions only is more effective than doing nothing at all.
• The most effective rate for chest compressions is greater than 100 compressions per minute - the same rhythm as the beat of the BeeGee's song, "Stayin' Alive."

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

• Unless CPR and defibrillation are provided within minutes of collapse, few attempts at resuscitation are successful.
• Even if CPR is performed, defibrillation with an AED is required to stop certain abnormal rhythms and restore a normal heart rhythm.
• New technology has made AEDs simple and user-friendly. Clear audio and visual cues tell users what to do when using an AED and coach people through CPR. A shock is delivered only if the victim needs it.
• AEDs are now widely available in public places such as schools, airports, and workplaces.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

• EMS treats about 300,000 victims of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year in the U.S.
• Less than 8% of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital survive.
• Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time. Many victims appear healthy with no known heart disease or other risk factors.
• Sudden cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when electrical impulses in the heart become rapid or chaotic, which causes the heart to suddenly stop beating. A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is blocked. A heart attack may cause cardiac arrest.

Teens / Youth

• About 5,900 children 18 years old and under suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year from all causes - including trauma, cardiovascular causes and sudden infant death syndrome.
• The incidence of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest in high school athletes ranges from .28 to 1 death per 100,000 high school athletes annually in the U.S.
• The American Heart Association does not have a minimum age requirement for people to learn CPR. The ability to perform CPR is based more on body strength rather than age.
• Studies have shown that children as young as 9 years old can learn and retain CPR skills.

Cardiac Arrest Videos

The videos below provide a basic overview of what to do in an emergency.