Sunday, August 28, 2011

One of the topics of this course is CPR, or Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation. 

KidsHealth.com describes CPR (or cardiopulmonary resuscitation) as “a combination of rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth resuscitation) and chest compressions. If someone isn't breathing or circulating blood adequately, CPR can restore circulation of oxygen-rich blood to the brain. Without oxygen, permanent brain damage or death can occur in less than 8 minutes.”

I already took CPR as part of my St. John’s Ambulance babysitting course.  Did you know that if you’re going to suffer cardiac arrest, you better hope that it happens in a public place rather than at home. 

There is an interesting Globe&Mail article (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/new-health/conditions/heart-and-stroke/treatment/its-better-to-suffer-cardiac-arrest-in-a-public-place-study/article1883790/) that describes research showing that a person whose heart stops is 3x more likely to survive if the incident occurs in a public place than in a private residence! Hmmmmm.......

   

Canadian Red Cross and the St. John’s Ambulance are both good resources for more information!