FAQs

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Your AHA eCard is available for you to access at any time by visiting cpr.heart.org. click on “Course Cards” and then on “View Your eCard Profile”

• Visit https://elearning.heart.org/course/424
• Enter the following code: acls15

• Visit https://elearning.heart.org/course/426
• Enter the following code: pals15

Approximately 400,000 people die from sudden cardiac arrest each year in the US. About 80% of cardiac arrest happens at home. Performing early CPR increases the victim’s chance of survival by 40%. Every minute that passes by without doing chest compressions, the person’s chance of survival goes down 20% each minute. Learning CPR can help you save a life!

Hands-Only CPR is CPR without mouth-to-mouth breaths. It is recommended for use by people who see a teen or adult suddenly collapse in an “out-of-hospital” setting (such as at home, at work, or in a park). It consists of two easy steps: 1. Call 9-1-1 (or send someone to do that). 2. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

AED is short for an Automated External Defibrillator. When the heart stops functioning the way it needs to, an AED can help restart it. Almost like a jump start for your car battery. This is a device is used while providing high quality CPR and assist in increase of survival for a person. Once an AED becomes available you are to turn it on. The AED will be able to prompt you with further instructions.

The Good Samaritan law protects bystanders when you choose to help someone in need of an emergency. CPR certified or not, Hands-Only-CPR or what you were taught in your course falls under this law.

If a person suddenly becomes unresponsive and collapses, it is likely a cardiac arrest. When this happens, check the person for signs of breathing and attempt to feel for a carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds. If the person is not responding and not breathing, you must call 911 or ask someone to call 911 and bring you an AED, then immediately begin chest compression. You can perform Hands-Only CPR.

For our heart muscles to function appropriately, it needs oxygen to survive. A heart attack, also called myocardial infarction (MI), happens when the blood flowing through the coronary arteries is deprived due to built up fat, cholesterol and other substances collected (plaque) forming a blood clot cutting off the blood flow oxygen supply to the heart muscles. The heart muscles at this point are starved of oxygen and nutrients causing damage to part of the heart muscles. Nutrients causing damage to part of the heart muscles.

1. Shortness of breath (not always seen) with or even without chest discomfort.
2. Tightness, pressure, pain or discomfort in the center of the chest behind the breastbone and sometimes traveling to one, or both arms, back, neck jaw or upper stomach. Note: sometimes the upper stomach pain may be confused for indigestion.
3. Cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

• You can do so much for a person who is having a suspected heart attack. Once noticing the sign and symptoms, you should immediately call 911 and answer all the questions. Most of the time, 911 will be able to provide you with some instructions while the emergency medical services are on their way.
• If the person is alert and talking to you, 911 may ask you to assist the person with 2 to 4 chewable baby aspirin, or one extra strength tablet. Be sure to ask the person if they are allergic or have had any other medical conditions that may interfere with the aspirin.
• Be sure the person stops any activities and have them relax in a position of their comfort. If the person is unconscious, be sure the person is laid flat on their back.
• Staying with the person while trained professionals arrive and look for breathing and pulses.
• If you note the person is unconscious and not breathing, you will need to perform CPR.

Studies have shown there is a very slim to no chance of harming someone who has a pulse and you initiate CPR compression. In theory, better safe to assist someone who may not need help than be sorry and not assist someone who does.

Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) or strokes, is a serious medical condition where the blood vessels supplying blood to the areas of the brain become blocked resulting in ischemia. If this blockage persists, tissues blocked off will begin to die resulting in a stroke.

Follow this F.A.S.T Algorithm:

• Facial Drooping
• Arm Weakness or drift
• Speech Difficulty
• Time (time these signs were first noticed)

1. Call 911 immediately and stay with the patient until emergency service providers arrive.
2. Monitor the patient’s breathing and pulse and begin CPR if needed.
3. Monitor the patient for vomiting or headache and keep the patient airway open.