A few weeks ago a Tucson, Arizona, man found a woman slumped over the steering wheel of her car. Seeing that she had blue lips, he knew she needed CPR, but he had never been taught how to save someone's life.
"I've never prepared myself for CPR in my life. I had no idea what I was doing," Cross Scott told the Arizona Daily Star.
Then he remembered an episode of The Office where Michael Scott and crew were taught to do chest compressions using the Bee Gee's song "Stayin' Alive."
Scott, no relation to Michael, used that TV knowledge to save the woman's life.
Don't be like Cross Scott.
Rutherford County Fire Rescue is offering free CPR training to our community, taught by Capt. Paula Todd. Classes are held approximately one Saturday a month and take place at the RCFR Training Center located at 1504 W. College St. in Murfreesboro.
Hands-Only CPR is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation without the mouth-to-mouth breaths. It is recommended for use by people who witness a teen or adult suddenly collapse in an "out-of-hospital" setting (such as home, work, or in a park). This hands-only technique performed by a bystander has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR in the first few minutes. Hands-Only CPR will teach the average person basic lifesaving techniques that can be applied until professional help arrives.
Starting CPR immediately is one of the most critical factors in whether someone survives. Don't wait until the ambulance arrives. For every minute that passes without CPR, survival decreases by 10%.
OVERCOMING FEAR FACTOR:
- You can't hurt the victim. Your actions can only help!
- You are legally protected by the Good Samaritan Act.
SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST CAN HAPPEN to ANYONE, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE
- More than 350,000 Americans die each year from Sudden Cardia Arrest, which is more than lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and AIDS combined.
- It is not just something that only affects elderly or sick people. More than 2,000 young people (under 25) die each year. Many victims appear healthy and have no known risk factors.
- Almost 80% of sudden cardiac arrests happen at home and are witnessed by a loved one. By knowing
CPR, you could help save your loved one's life.
For registration and class dates go to RCFR CPR Class.