Do you know what to do in case of an emergency?

Imagine this scenario: You’re at the busy mall with your closest friends when suddenly one of your friends falls to the ground. What would you do? Scream for help? Call 911 immediately? Your decisions impact the chance of survival for your friend.

Using an automated external defibrillator (AED) can be the difference between life and death in the critical seconds after a heart attack. AED’s are often the only hope of survival until emergency personnel arrive.

Don’t know how to use an AED? Don’t worry. Watch this helpful video from Baylor SportsCare that walks through the steps it takes to apply and use an AED to save a life.

In recent years, public locations including airports, malls, gyms and office complexes have all worked to make AEDs more readily available for the public. After you’ve watched the above video, know that AEDs can be operated in three simple steps: Turn on and apply the AED to the person, follow the verbal commands and prompts and finally, click the shock button when the AED instructs you to.

Remember, the moments after a heart attack are crucial. So act quickly and be confident!

Locating the AED in the Workplace

Poll Reveals Nearly 80 Percent of Employed Adults Can't Locate Their Workplace's Defibrillator

Results from Cintas indicate organizations need help managing life-saving tools

CINCINNATI, OH--Each year, approximately 300,000 people suffer out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrests (SCA) that require revival from an automated external defibrillator (AED). According to the results of a survey commissioned by Cintas, a leader in first-aid and safety programs, although many workplaces have AEDs on site, it’s likely that a majority of workers would not be prepared to locate and use the units. The survey, conducted online by Harris Interactive® among 2,019 adults ages 18 and older (of whom 916 are employed), found that 79 percent of employed adults do not know where their workplace’s AED is located.

“The American Red Cross says that bystanders could save at least 20,000 additional SCA victims each year with more widespread use of AEDs,” said Jamie Samide, Senior Director of Marketing, Cintas. “Our survey suggests that this may be a challenge unless more organizations partner with a first aid provider like Cintas to ensure AEDs are properly installed and maintained. Organizations must also train their employees to know how to recognize the symptoms of SCA and find and use the units.”



The September 2013 survey indicates that many workplaces need to make AEDs more available. Thirty percent of employed U.S. adults note that their workplace does not have an AED on site. Merely having an AED on-site, however, is only the first step. Organizations also need to train their employees on the use of AEDs to improve employee confidence and skills in situations involving them. Of employed U.S. adults:

• Less than 1 in 5 (17 percent) feel confident that they could reach the nearest AED in their workplace and return to the victim quickly
• Eighty-six percent would not feel comfortable using the AED during an emergency such as cardiac arrest
• Eighty-eight percent have not received training on the proper use of the workplace AED

“Too often, we find that workplaces believe having an AED on site is an adequate precaution in regards to SCA,” added Samide. “To increase confidence and effectiveness during an emergency, organizations should work with a safety provider that offers AEDs, tests and inspections, and training, to save time and ensure ongoing safety and compliance.”
For more information, please visit www.cintas.com/firstaidsafety.

SOURCE: BusinessWire.com

The Need to know CPR

We've seen it before, Michael "Squints" Palledorous (from the famous movie Sandlot") feigns trouble swimming when he is pulled from the public swimming pool and given CPR from the love of his life, Wendy Peffercorn. It's well-known that CPR is essential for lifeguards and for victims who are struggling with breathing properly; however, did you know that CPR can save the lives of victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and if you know CPR - you can possibly save a life?

There are more ways to learn CPR than having to attend a lifeguard training course. Many local recreation centers or community centers offer basic level CPR courses that will teach you how to respond quickly which uncertainty strikes. Emergency medical services can take up to 10 minutes to respond to a distress call, therefore making the first minutes after an attack essential in saving a life. CPR from a bystander can increase the chances of survival by nearly 30%!

Another helpful measure in saving lives is to have a basic understanding of how to use an AED, or an automated external defibrillator. When applied correctly, this machine can improve the odds of survival by an upwards of 50%. The instructions will be read aloud from an automated voice through the machine and the directions given clearly. When a bystander takes a stand and a course of action, many times it will save a life.

Learn more about how to apply for an AED by visiting www.Living4Zachary.org.

BeLIEVE in Heart Screening!

We all go about our daily lives and never really think about the effects of SCA, Sudden Cardiac Arrest. When most of us hear the words "Sudden Cardiac Arrest" we immediately think of an adult or someone who might have been sick or have heart issues however; it is important to remember that SCA happens to children as well.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) has been ranked as the number one sudden killer in children. Recently a teen in New Boston, Texas, collapsed during a physical education class. A normal PE Class on a normal day. All kids have a daily routine of classes that they may have some physical exertion but it shouldn't cause any child to experience any issues or problems.

SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) doesn't just happen to those who are athletes, it can happen to any kid during any typical activity such as P.E. or a school dance or running on the playground.

Recently Children's Hospital's Care Network did a medical study of 400 children and young teens which concluded that it would be effective to screen all healthy school-aged children, not just limiting it to athletes. Currently, Italy and China use this practice and it is hoped that the U.S. will follow in their foot steps. The cost is minimal and it only takes about 10 minutes to complete but could save thousands of lives each year. If you live in the Texas area; THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano is supporting Living for Zachary by offering non-invasive electrocardiogram and echocardiogram screenings to youth ages 13-22.  This heart screening is offered for $100, this screening package may prove to be invaluable to hundreds of youth in Plano and surrounding communities. Parents can call 1-800-4BAYLOR and request the “Living for Zachary” screening. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The popular TV doctor, Dr. Oz ran a segment of his show in spring of last year and discussed SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest). During his show he told viewers how important it is for children to have their heart screened. Dr. OZ mentioned that there are usually no symptoms, no real warning signs to go by, just a normal child whose heart suddenly fails. He told a story of a 12 year old girl from Texas who was on vacation with her family and had asked to play at the water park. Her mom dropped her and a friend off and never knew that would be the last time she saw her child alive. The young girl suffered SCA while at the water park.

It is crucial to be pro-active and know your child's genetic risk factors as well as family health history. It is also just as important to know how to prevent death if a SCA situation arises. The government in Texas has now placed (AED's) automated external defibrillator's in all of the schools. Those AED's will save the life of our children as will having your heart screened.

Help Ricky Rubio Save a Life - with the Save a Life Simulator

We all think that we know what to do when someone collapses - question is... will you help and do you know what to do?

Did you know?

• A young athlete dies every 3 days from SCA
• Did you know that SCA is the leading cause of death in young atheles?
• Did you know that there is a Save A Life Simulator - which helps you with what to do if someone falls victim to SCA?
• Did you know that the average age of a young athlete that is stuck by SCA is 17 years old? 
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest is among the leading killers of Americans, striking an estimated 382,800 people in the US each year.¹
• Almost 80 percent of sudden cardiac arrest attacks happen outside the hospital, and less than 30 percent of victims receive bystander CPR.

 To view the full video - click here

(1) American Heart Association's 2012 Heart and Stroke Statistics (Circulation. Jan 3 2012;125(1):e2-e220)