Hands-Only CPR

Howard County Dept. of Fire and RescueAnd

Howard County Public Schools

Am I Protected?

• YES! Any bystander who uses an AED to help a cardiac arrest victim is protected from liability under Maryland’s Good Samaritan Law.

Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Code

§ 5-603

“An individual who is not [licensed in this state to provide medical care] is not civilly liable for any act or omission in providing assistance or medical aid to a victim at the scene of an emergency, if:

            (1)      The assistance or aid is provided in a reasonably prudent manner;

            (2)      The assistance or aid is provided without fee or other compensation; and

            (3)      The individual relinquishes care of the victim when someone who is licensed or certified by this State to provide medical care or services becomes available to take responsibility.”

Today’s Goals:

• Learn about sudden cardiac arrest and its warning signs

• Learn compression-only CPR for adults and kids over the age of 8 (AHA)

• Hands-Only CPR practice session

What is cardiac arrest?

• The heart suddenly stops pumping blood through the body and the patient goes unconscious, losing his/her pulse– Can happen without warning

• If cardiac arrest is not immediately treated, the victim will almost certainly die– YOU need to act fast!

Cardiac arrest and heart attack are NOT the same!

Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack

Unconscious/No pulse Conscious

Abnormal breathing or Breathing/Talking

Not breathing at all

ALERT:

250,000 people in the U.S. will die this year

because they suffered a cardiac arrest outside of a

hospital.

Did you know?

Hitting Home

Think this doesn’t affect YOU?!

Anyone – Anywhere – Any Time

LOUIS ACOMPORA

14 yr. old Lacrosse goalie took a shot to the chest

Kaitlin Forbes

15 yr. old playing softball in gym class

Maggie O’Malley

Kaitlin’s best friend & teammate •14 mos. after Kaitlin’s CA, on a train coming back from NY City

Breanna Sudanno

• Perry Hall student (@ Catonsville High School)• 14 yr. old field hockey player

Breanna Sudano’s Success

"The percentages of survival are very, very low for this type of thing. Coaches and parents

not only saved her life, but because they did CPR, they did it so quickly, they didn't hesitate,

they didn't wait ... there's no brain damage, no complications from lack of oxygen.“

Perry Hall High School athletic director Robert Hruz

Who Else Will Help, If Not You?

Timing is crucial

• Every minute that passes without CPR decreases a victim’s chance of survival by 10%

The American Heart Association’s Chain of Survival

1) Early Access- call 911!

2) Early CPR

3) Early Defibrillation

4) Early Advanced Care (Paramedics + hospital)

You

The 3 C’s of Adult CPR

1) CHECK to see if the person is unresponsive

2) CALL 911 so help can arrive ASAP

3) COMPRESS- start chest compressions and don’t stop until EMS arrives

Call 911 and return to the person

Check that the person is unresponsive

Begin chest compressions, pushing down 2 inches on the person’s chest, and continue this until emergency services

arrive

About AEDs

• AED = Automatic External Defibrillator

• Found in public areas throughout Howard County

• AED kit contains a “smart” AED machine and 2 adhesive pads connected to the machine by wires

Someone who knows how to use an AED may ask you to go

get it if a person goes into cardiac arrest!

Even if you are not trained to use an AED, you should be aware of the AED locations

in the buildings you enter!

-Your Office

-Schools

-Church

-Mall

-Gym

-Airport

-Library

-Senior Centers

Performing chest compressions

1) Place one hand on top of the other and press the heel of one hand in the center of the chest

2) Lock your elbows

3) Press down hard on the chest at least 100 times per minute, so that the chest is compressed about 2 inches with each press

American Heart Association Demo Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuJkRpJ7Fxg

Hands-on practice of CPR and AED

Ask the instructor if you have any questions!