Why Is Cpr Important

The importance of learning Basic CPR The average person may think he is able to perform CPR, but mastering this vital skill can save a life. When people talk about learning Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation most seem to think they will never need it because of course that's what 911 is for and they are trained to save lives right? That's true however, learning basic CPR can mean the difference between life and death in someone you love or care about. CPR can be just as vital as learning how to swim, drive a car, or use self defense. Why is this skill so important you may ask? Easy, when a person can not breathe or a person's body can't circulate blood properly cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can restore the circulation of oxygen and blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. Without proper oxygen flow to the brain a person can suffer permanent brain damage or even death in less than 8 minutes. (Naval Hospital Corpsman workbook 4-18) Ok so now we know CPR is useful but who's to say the average person will ever have to use it right? Wrong, In the United States some if not half of the deaths are preventable deaths, these include: Drug overdoses, suicides and Cardiac Arrests (or more commonly known as
massive heart attacks). These "heart attacks" are deadly and can occur with little or no warning. This is why everyone should have to learn and go through some kind of program to be CPR Train
According to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, airway obstruction is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths of children under the age of 1 in the United States. Even more shocking is in 2000 160 children under the age of 14 died from obstruction of their airways due to inhaled or ingested foreign bodies. We childproof our homes and cars to help Basic CPR 2 prevent our children from getting hurt so why not take that extra step in safety and lean how to protect them just in case the unfortunate does happen? How often have you seen a parent run to take something out of a toddler's mouth before they chocked on it? Would you be able to help if they were not able to reach that child in time and it started chocking? Sure you could call 911 but what are you going to do until help arrives? That is vital time that you can help save that child's life and make a difference. According to the Washington State Health Department in 2004 out of the 97 drowning deaths 16 of them were children under the age of 18. If preformed in time and properly CPR could have help save those people or at least bought them enough time for proper medical attention to be given.
Chocking and drowning are only two reasons for people to learn CPR, but children aren't the only ones who benefit from the learning and mastering of it.
Adults benefit from it too, according to the American Heart Association; heart disease is the leading cause of death in America. Each year, cardiovascular disease and sudden arrest claim the lives of 325,000 Americans before they reach the hospital. Since almost 80 percent of heart attacks occur at home performing CPR right away can double a victims chances of survival. (Hazinski,Cummins and Field 2000) As the saying goes for every minute a persons brain goes without oxygen it reduces their chance of survival by 10 percent, so within 5 minutes a persons chances of survival has now dropped to 50
percent. Basic CPR 3 Even knowing that CPR can help save lives many people still don't learn it. The reasons vary from not enough available time or they do not have the money to take the classes. The American Heart Association has made this task a bit easier. In many states they offer classes for free to parents and caregivers, they also offer training kits for as little as $35. With all these resources available one must ask themselves how much is the life of my family really worth? Knowing that there is a chance you can help save the life of someone you love or care about, why not take the opportunity to learn how? With learning and mastering CPR you have that opportunity and the ability to save a persons life, who knows the very life you save could be a family members.

Basic CPR 4

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Hazinski MF, Cummins RO, Field JM. 2000 Handbook of Emergency Cardiovascular Care for Healthcare Providers. American Heart Association; 2000:1-6.
HMCM(SW) Kilroy, S HMCM(SW) Yates, L.A HMCS(AW) Bethune, C. 2000, Hospital Corpsman Advancement Manual; Navel education and training professional development and technology center.

National Safe kids campaign (nd) Injury facts: Airway obstruction, retrieved March 28, 2007 from http://www.usa.safekids.org/tier3_printable.cfm?content_item_id=991&folder_id=540