Following the statistics from the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, 1,000 people in the U.S. are struck by sudden cardiac arrest each day. With such information in mind, one can’t help but wonder what can be done to lessen the negative outcomes. In that context, learning how to resuscitate a person (give CPR) can mean life or death.
You’d be mistaken if you thought only medical professionals were allowed to do CPR. Today, everyone can and is encouraged to learn how to perform CPR. For instance, if you’re a Cincinnati resident, there are special CPR classes to attend and become certified in CPR, which is pretty much hassle-free.
Stay with us as we discuss why lay people should learn CPR and list some professions requiring CPR certification. The more of us know how to do CPR, the safer the world will be.
What Makes CPR Vital
Knowing CPR surpasses the practical aspect of it, fostering a safe environment and a notion of preparedness in worst-case scenarios. Besides the obvious reason for saving lives, learning how to perform CPR in Cincinnati results in a handful of other benefits.
CPR Saves Lives
Administering CPR immediately after someone loses consciousness due to sudden cardiac arrest is crucial. By receiving CPR, an SCA victim’s survival chances can double or even triple. Without cardiopulmonary resuscitation, an SCA victim is likely to suffer life-threatening consequences and even death.
It Prevents Brain Damage
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation helps the SCA victim retain their normal brain functions when delivered in the first minute. Otherwise, if left without help, the victim can suffer brain death, which usually occurs from four to six minutes after the heart ceases to beat.
If you happen to witness a cardiac arrest in someone and start CPR, you are helping the victim’s blood flow and feeding oxygen to all the vital organs. In return, the victim is given a good chance of recovering fully.
Careers in Cincinnati That Require a CPR Certification
Since CPR is not just for healthcare workers anymore, a number of professions require workers to be trained to perform CPR. For one, childcare providers, flight attendants, and construction workers are among the occupations that fall into the category.
Construction Workers
This group of professionals is one of the categories of workers that are often exposed to different hazards and dangerous work settings. Construction workers can easily suffer many different accidents involving working in high altitudes, operating heavy machinery, etc. To that extent, knowing CPR is vital.
Childcare Providers
Working with children can be all fun and games until it isn’t. Children can easily hurt themselves, sometimes to the extent of needing medical assistance right away. In Cincinnati, childcare providers have to be certified in CPR to be able to care for children.
Police Officers
It goes without saying that an officer of the law should be able to deliver assistance whenever needed, and knowing how to perform CPR is high on the list of aptitudes. To police officers, sheriffs, and other police staff, CPR and First Aid certification is an absolute must.
Lifeguards
Lifeguards are synonymous with helping in dangerous situations. This category of professionals is surrounded by all age groups on a daily basis, making the need for CPR certification extremely important.
Cardiac arrest is highly linked to drowning, which is one of the most common issues lifeguards are faced with. To that extent, a lifeguard will not be able to work as one unless they possess a CPR certificate.
Flight Attendants
Since flight attendants are constantly surrounded by people, it is highly likely that some of them might be in need of assistance at one point. Flight attendants have to be prepared to handle different situations, including medical emergencies. In fact, if a plane passenger suffers an SCA while in the air, the flight attendant is the first point of contact.
Anyone Can Perform CPR
As mentioned, CPR is not just for healthcare workers anymore, but quite the contrary. Literary anyone can perform CPR and step up when a bystander, a co-worker, or a friend suffers a sudden cardiac arrest.
If such an emergency arises, don’t waste precious time dwelling on whether to act or not. Go ahead and do it because every second counts. Following these steps ensures you’re doing your best to keep an SCA victim alive until professional help arrives.
- Call 911 immediately. If you can’t do it yourself, ask someone nearby to do it while you tend to the victim.
- Start chest compressions. Place both hands firmly on the center of the victim’s chest and push down, doing 100-120 pushes a minute. After each compression, allow for the chest to recoil (come back to its normal position).
- Don’t stop the compressions until the EMTs are present. Continuity is key in CPR.
What Will You Learn in a CPR Class
Joining an accredited CPR class means you’re being trained by professionals using up-to-date guidelines. During the course, you will be taught the right way to perform chest compressions and deliver rescue breaths.
Depending on the type of CPR class you enroll in, you might learn different CPR techniques specifically designed for child, infant, and adult CPR. A solid CPR class covers the basic anatomy of the heart system and respiratory physiology, including the impact of your performance on the well-being of the victim.
Using an AED
In most CPR classes in Cincinnati, participants will also be taught what an AED (automated external defibrillator) is and how and when to use one. When paired with an AED, CPR is twice as efficient, considering the state of the victim. Sometimes, an SCA victim will only need CPR, while other times, the gravity of the situation will call for an AED. CPR classes will teach you the instances when an AED should be used.
Identifying Cardiac Arrest Symptoms
Another (valuable) skill you’ll acquire in a CPR class is the ability to recognize the signs of cardiac arrest. One of the massive benefits of identifying SCA symptoms is the capability to act immediately, which, in turn, makes all the difference to the victim.
CPR: Not Just for Healthcare Workers Anymore – The Final Say
Long gone are the days when only doctors and nurses knew how to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Today, almost everyone can be the person who saves a life with CPR. Luckily, the life-saving medical technique is at everyone’s fingertips. All there is to do is look for a CPR class nearby, find the most suitable class type in Cincinnati (online, in-person, or through a blended learning model), and get a step closer to becoming the person who saved someone’s life.
It doesn’t matter if you are a teacher, a firefighter, an electrician, a nanny, a chef, or a construction worker – everyone can and should learn how to perform CPR. Hopefully, all of us will be able to do our part in bringing down the number of fatalities caused by SCA in the U.S.
FAQs
I’m considering applying for an athletic coach position in Cincinnati. Do I need a CPR certificate?
Yes, you do. Coaches and trainers are required to possess a CPR certificate in Cincinnati. Many AHA-accredited CPR training centers in the area offer affordable and comprehensive CPR classes.
Is CPR difficult to learn?
Learning how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation isn’t that much more difficult than learning how to give the Heimlich maneuver. In all fairness, CPR is easier to learn than the said maneuver and can even be performed by children as young as 9 years old. What matters is the hands-on experience.
What if I get tired while doing CPR?
Feeling tired and exhausted doing CPR is totally understandable and normal. You can take a break, but before you do, make sure someone else continues doing the chest compressions. It is utterly important not to neglect the victim while you catch your breath.
Can I break someone’s rib while doing chest compressions?
It is a possibility, even though it’s rare. Don’t panic if you do. It can happen. It’s important to keep in mind that doctors will be able to tend to the fractures.