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Politics & Government

CPR Training: Lifesaving Moments

In the third week of the Community Emergency Preparedness Academy, participants learn CPR and how to use an AED.

Editor's note: The Community Emergency Preparedness Academy is an eight-week program in Aliso Viejo that teaches residents what to do in an emergency. Each week we will provide tips and information from the sessions. The workshop began Feb. 8.

At this week's session of the emergency preparedness academy, students were given free CPR and AED training, courtesy of Doctor's Ambulance.

CPR techniques and an AED (automatic external defibrillator) are the first lines of defense if somebody's heart stops or he or she can't breathe.

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According to CPR instructor Amy Smith, the average crew response time is two to three minutes, so it is critical that residents learn CPR and how to use an AED. The use of the device and technique could save a life and add critical minutes for the person who is down.

"Every minute that someone is down adds a 10 percent chance that the person will develop some kind of additional problem," said Smith. "Every minute that you help is extra time for that person."

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Generally, this is how CPR should be performed:

Disclaimer: This guide is a supplement but not a substitute for actual CPR training. Please visit the American Heart Association to find classes.

  1. First check for a response. If there isn't one, designate someone to call 911. If no one else is around, begin CPR, then call 911 yourself.
  2. Tilt the victim's neck back to open his or her airway. If no breath is heard, administer two breaths.
  3. Line up your hands between the nipples of the victim and place your palm right in the center between them. Use your back to push down,  and give 30 compressions. Do not worry about cracking noises; this is normal. Use the song  "Stayin' Alive" as a rhythm for your compressions. Do not compress too slow or too fast.  
  4. Continue the process until advanced medical personnel arrive or until the person awakens.

According to Smith, the breath portion of CPR will be removed as of April 1  because people are less likely to administer breaths to people they do not know. Research also shows that compression alone is enough to keep a person alive during the vital moments of CPR.

CPR allows a person to manually pump the heart of another to keep oxygen flowing to vital organs, such as the brain. By keeping oxygen flowing, the organs stay intact and do not begin to erode, further increasing the chance the person will not develop more damage to his or her body.

AED is a device that can be found at such places as health clubs and schools and is available for purchase online. The device is nearly automated and tells a person exactly what to do, step by step.

Here's how an AED works:

Disclaimer: This guide is a supplement but not a substitute for actual AED training. Please visit the American Heart Association to find classes.

  1. Administer shock pads to the patient's body on alternating sides of the torso. The first shock pad should be on the upper right side, about an inch above the nipple. The other shock pad should be on the lower left side of the torso, an inch above the belly button. Refer to the AED for further instructions on placement.
  2. The AED will check if there is an erratic heartbeat. If so, clear everyone away so they are not shocked by the device. Press the shock button to administer a shock.
  3. If no response is detected, continue administering CPR until the AED is ready to administer another shock.
  4. If someone's chest has a discolored portion, it could be a sign of a pacemaker. Alternate how the shock pads are placed and resume normally.

Students were given dummies and AEDs to practice the techniques. Instructors made sure all participants left confident that they could perform CPR and use an AED in an emergency.

"It's wonderful," said Li Ting, a student in the class. "I tried to get in last year, but the class was full. I really wish this was taught at schools to our children."

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