If you witnessed a loved one collapse in sudden cardiac arrest, would you know what to do?
The American Heart Association offers these eye-opening statistics about cardiac arrest and CPR: effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival, but less than one-third of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest victims receive bystander CPR.
While this is a frightening situation to consider, taking steps to educate yourself about what to do in such an emergency is easier than you think.
The Take 10 Program was initiated by Take Heart Austin with the purpose of alleviating fears of bystanders and empowering them to activate EMS and start compression-only CPR. In just 10 minutes, participants can practice giving uninterrupted, high-quality chest compressions and review the basic steps of operating an Automated External Defibrillator, or AED. While Take 10 is not a CPR certification, it teaches valuable skills in a concise, portable program.
St. David’s Emergency Center is partnering with Take Heart Austin to bring the Take 10 Program to your community. We will be hosting programs throughout Lakeway and Bee Cave. Be on the lookout for the Take 10 logo around the area, and stay tuned to the St. David’s Emergency Center blog to find out when and where you can take just 10 minutes to learn how you can potentially save a life.
Do you know CPR?
Katie Lyke
Manager of St. David’s Emergency Center
Austin’s first free-standing Emergency Department, opening in August of 2011