By: Robert Bohrer, FF/PM, CPR Instructor
No one knows when an emergency will strike, especially a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) emergency. Whether you have a CPR certification or not, knowing at a minimum of “Hands-Only CPR” can truly make a difference to a victim’s survival. Keep in mind SCA does not discriminate who its victim will be. From children to adults, SCA can occur in these mentioned age groups, so that is why “Hands-Only CPR” is recommended in an out-of-hospital setting (such as home, work, parks, etc.). Sometimes it can be caused from a bad heart or a secondary means, such as choking on a foreign body. This article is the first installment of a multi-part series of “Emergency Safety Tips”. Below are some basic steps to recognizing and performing “Hands-Only CPR”.
Hands-Only CPR Steps:
- Step 1: Check the scene for safety
- Step 2: Check the victim’s responsiveness by tapping and shouting at them.
- Step 3: If victim does not respond, Call 911
- Step 4: Place your hands in the center of the victim’s chest and Push, Hard and Fast at least 2 inches (See below photo).
Perform chest compressions to the beat of the song “Stayin Alive”.
By following the steps listed above you will definitely increase a victim’s chance of survival. Just remember the main steps are to Call 911 and Push Hard and Push Fast in the center of the victim’s chest.
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Robert Bohrer teaches a range of different safety and CPR classes through Community Health Certification in Port St. Lucie. For more information about classes and getting certified, call 772-785-5177 or go to: www.communityhealthcertification.com.
