Imagine one day you’re in a meeting with your co-worker, when suddenly, the colleague you were speaking with collapses to their side. You don’t know it yet, but they may have just gone into sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and precious seconds are passing by. Would you know what to do?
“Grab your phone, not your keys,” says Susan Pizzi, Community Health Education Coordinator at Chester County Hospital. “If someone suddenly collapses, your first response should be to call 9-1-1 immediately. Once you or someone around you has made the call, performing Hands-Only CPR could be the difference between life and death while waiting for help to arrive.”
Students at the Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center learn from
Chester County Hospital nurse Amber Shealy during the annual
Hands-Only CPR training event organized by Aidan’s Heart Foundation.
When someone falls into sudden cardiac arrest, the brain and body becomes deprived of oxygen and death can occur within minutes. By performing CPR, you can help continue blood flow to the brain while waiting on paramedics to arrive, giving that person their best chance towards survival.
To help spread this message, Chester County Hospital is teaching the community how to be part of the chain of survival by offering free Hands-Only CPR classes, a form of cardiopulmonary resuscitation without mouth-breathing.
This class was created to build bystander confidence and participation to help adults who may be experiencing cardiac arrest. The program is not a CPR certification class, but is meant to be an easy-to-remember and effective option for those who may have initially been hesitant to help. In this class, participants will learn how to perform Hands-Only CPR, how to use an AED (automated external defibrillator) and provide education on recognizing the early signs and symptoms of an impending heart attack.
Who Should Know Hands-Only CPR?
In short – everyone. Cardiac arrest happens suddenly and being able to respond quickly can make all the difference. “We have taught this program to a variety of groups including country club members, teachers and staff at schools, and members of garden clubs. We’ve even gone to personal residences to teach friends and neighbors what to do in these critical situations,” says Pizzi.
Over the past three years, Chester County Hospital has helped Aidan’s Heart Foundation to bring Hands-Only CPR to the Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center in Downingtown. More than 3,000 sixth grade students have been trained in Hands-Only CPR and AED instruction, showing that even kids can help save lives and be part of the chain of survival.
How to get Hands-Only CPR to Your Organization
Chester County Hospital wants to share its free, one-hour program with organizations in the community. Depending on the size of the group, the program includes a representative from the hospital and a representative from a local EMS response team, such as Good Fellowship Ambulance, Medic 94, Longwood Fire Company, or Minquas Fire Company to instruct how to perform Hands-Only CPR and use an AED.
The program focuses on Hands-Only CPR but instructors can provide contact information and locations for conventional and pediatric CPR training if desired.
For more information on how to bring Hands-Only CPR to your organization, call 610.738.2300.
Classes are also regularly scheduled at various locations for individual participation. Learn more about upcoming Hands-On CPR events.
Learn about your risk of heart disease by taking an online cardiac risk assessment, such as Chester County Hospital’s “Heart Tracks.” It allows you to compare your actual age to your heart’s biological age, estimate your risk of developing cardiovascular disease and prioritize your most harmful cardiovascular risk factors. Take the assessment now!