Volunteers learn the ABCs of CPR

Can you name the ABC’s in an emergency? In this case I don’t mean the alphabet, but rather airway, breathing, circulation – otherwise known as the tests to see if someone needs CPR.

Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford volunteers recently got a refresher course on cardiopulmonary resuscitation, more commonly known as CPR. The education department at Texas Health HEB offered the class for free to the volunteers to thank them for their service to the hospital. About 18 volunteers were trained in July.

CPR is used when a person goes into cardiac arrest. An estimated 918 people die of heart disease each day in the United States, according to the American Heart Association.

These days automated external defibrillators are posted at schools, airports and other venues. But if an AED isn’t around, performing CPR after calling 911 can be the most effective way to help save someone’s life. Volunteers learned CPR for adults, children and infants, along with how to save a person who is choking and how to use an AED.

If you find yourself in a situation where a person isn’t breathing or isn’t conscious call 911 first. Then open the person’s airway by gently lifting the chin. Watch for 10 seconds to determine if the person is breathing. If not, give the person two full breaths and then do compressions with the heal of your hand pressing the person’s sternum. Recent research has show that using the beat of “Staying Alive” is a good measure to complete compression at the ideal speed.
CPR should be continued until help arrives.

To sign up for a CPR class at Texas Health HEB, visit www.texashealth.org/classes or call 1-877-THR-WELL. For more information on CPR, click here.

Jennifer Erickson
Sr. Public Relations Specialist
Texas Health HEB