You're at the mall, a restaurant, or the park. Anywhere. You notice that a small crowd has gathered around someone lying on the ground.
The person isn't breathing and doesn't have a pulse. Someone calls 911, but it may be several minutes before help arrives. Do you know what to do?
CPR — Cardio Pulmonary Resucitation — can vastly increase a victim's chances of survival if given immediately after cardiac arrest, according to the American Heart Association's Web site.
In late 2005, new Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) guidelines were released for performing CPR. The changes, based on scientific data, are more effective and easier for the public to remember.
The Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Red Cross trains more than 20,000 people every year, according to Carol Vicuna, Red Cross public affairs officer. And its CPR courses now teach the new method, which includes more chest compressions per rescue breaths.
People are also reading…
Under the new guidelines, 30 chest compressions are performed, then two rescue breaths are given. Former guidelines called for 15 chest compressions to two breaths in an adult.
Another major change is that the same 30-2 compression-to-breath ratio is being used for infants and children. Previously, adult CPR ratios differed.
While it is important to take a class and be certified by the American Red Cross, anyone who knows the steps can provide aid.
Seventy-five percent to 80 percent of all sudden cardiac arrests happen at home, and being able to perform CPR can make the difference between life and death.
"Our goal is to get at least one person per family in Southern Arizona certified," says Vicuna.
● The American Red Cross holds classes to learn adult CPR ($35); infant/child CPR ($40), adult/infant/child CPR combo ($55), as well as classes combining CPR with standard first-aid training ($45) and CPR with AED (automated external defibrillator).
CPR certification through the American Red Cross is valid for one year.
The American Red Cross Training Center is at 5305 E. Broadway. Classes are also held at several other locations in Tucson, Sahuarita, Safford, Sierra Vista and (newly added) Green Valley. They also will try to come to a location or workplace to do group training. For a complete schedule of classes and locations, visit www.redcrossarizona.org or call 318-6872.