5 Life-Saving CPR Tips That Could Save Your Family

Cardiac arrest is a silent killer, especially in underrepresented communities, but it doesn’t have to be. BlackDoctor.org spoke with Dr. Katherine Brown, a passionate volunteer for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Movement, to uncover the life-saving power of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Dr. Brown has been dedicated to teaching CPR since she was 16, inspired by her mother. Over her 30-year tenure, she has trained over 300,000 people for free.

“The time is always now to increase awareness of CPR. There are disparities that affect groups, particularly in our communities of color, so the AHA [American Heart Association] has really set a goal of doubling the survival rate of cardiac arrest by 2030. We know that in order to save more lives from the 350,000 cardiac arrests that occur outside of the hospital every year, we have to increase the number of people who respond to cardiac arrest by calling 911, delivering high-quality CPR, and using an AED as soon as it’s available. Lives matter,” she shares.

Statistics show that 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die, often because they do not receive timely CPR. Immediate CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival, however, many barriers prevent people from receiving the CPR they need.

One alarming statistic Dr. Brown shares is that women are less likely to receive CPR from bystanders than men. Women have a 23 percent lower chance of surviving a cardiac arrest partly because bystanders are often afraid to touch them. This fear and hesitation contribute significantly to the disparity in survival rates between men and women.

“Too many women die from cardiac arrest partly because people are afraid to touch them. We know that cardiovascular disease is the leading killer of women, and women deserve every chance of survival,” Dr. Brown adds.

Another barrier that prevents people from receiving CPR is fear. The AHA’s research reveals that people are often afraid to perform CPR on women due to misconceptions and fears.

“We have to have conversations when situations like this are uncomfortable for people. The more we increase awareness of CPR, the more it makes a difference. When I started out earlier on the South Side of Chicago, I started a door-knocking campaign,” Dr. Brown says. “I literally would go to people’s doors and say, ‘Hey, if someone had a cardiac arrest, would you know what to do?’ This was in 2008. I was still on the corner with signs saying, ‘If you know CPR, pull over and I’ll teach you.’ The reason I say that is because it sparked a conversation. The data is there, the science is there, we know what’s important, but we really have to continue to have conversations to raise awareness of CPR so that everyone knows about this important life-saving skill. Every household should have someone trained in CPR.”

It’s something Dr. Brown feels even more passionate about, after seeing how the skill saved her mother’s life.

“About 70 percent of cardiac arrests that happen outside of a hospital occur at home with someone you love. I was in a situation where I had to do CPR on my own mother—the person who taught me how to do CPR when I was 16. Imagine the impact of the statistic you’ve been sharing, but this time it affects you in your own home,” Dr. Brown adds.

Steps to Learning and Performing CPR

How to Get Started

For those interested in learning CPR, Dr. Brown advises visiting the American Heart Association’s website, which offers educational videos and information on CPR training centers across the United States. The message is clear: the time to learn CPR is now. It only takes two simple steps to save a life: call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive” (100 to 120 beats per minute).

Recognizing the Signs of Cardiac Arrest

Dr. Brown adds that if someone collapses suddenly and is not responsive or breathing, it’s critical to call 911 immediately. Dispatchers can guide you through the steps of performing CPR until emergency services arrive.

“If you don’t call for help, no one knows that you have an emergency and need assistance. They can walk you through how to do everything,” Dr. Brown advises.

CPR can also help save the lives of the more than 23,000 children who experience cardiac arrest each year in the United States.

“Research shows that children as young as nine years old can learn CPR. I have always said if you can teach a child how to ride a bike, you can teach them CPR. It’s really important to realize that many people can learn how to do CPR, and we want to make sure we get that education to them.”

The Role of AEDs in Cardiac Emergencies

AEDs are also crucial in conjunction with CPR. The combination of immediate CPR and AED use significantly increases the chances of survival in cardiac emergencies.

“There’s a movement with the AHA to ensure we have more automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in our communities. Many airports already have them, and they’re starting to appear in schools and other places. On the AHA website, there are videos showing how to use the AED,” Dr. Brown adds. “The beautiful thing about the automated external defibrillator is that you simply press a button to turn it on, and a voice prompt guides you through how to use it. This simplicity helps alleviate fear. Moreover, when you have a dispatcher from emergency medical services online, they can also hear these voice prompts and guide you through the process.”

Dr. Brown advocates for unconventional methods to spread CPR awareness and training, particularly in Black communities. She suggests leveraging community events, faith-based organizations, and even social gatherings like baby showers and family reunions to teach CPR. The goal is to make CPR a household skill, ensuring that every family has someone who knows how to perform this lifesaving procedure.

“Cardiac arrest is unpredictable; you don’t know when it’s going to happen. That’s why we have to be innovative in getting this information out to our communities, especially in our Black communities,” Dr. Brown notes.

5 Life-Saving CPR Tips You Should Know

• Use Hands-Only CPR: If you’re not trained in CPR or uncomfortable giving rescue breaths, you can still perform chest compressions. Hands-only CPR involves continuous chest compressions at the proper rate (100-120 compressions per minute) until help arrives.
• Check for Pulse: If unsure whether CPR is needed, check for a pulse in an unresponsive person’s neck (carotid artery) for no more than 10 seconds. If there’s no pulse or it’s irregular, begin CPR immediately.
• Focus on Quality Compressions: Effective chest compressions are vital. Ensure you’re pushing hard enough (at least 2 inches deep for adults) and allowing the chest to fully recoil between compressions to maximize blood circulation.
• Coordinate with Others: If more than one person is present, coordinate efforts. One person can perform chest compressions while another gives rescue breaths, optimizing care and reducing fatigue.
• Stay Updated on CPR Guidelines: CPR guidelines are periodically updated based on research and best practices. Stay informed about any changes to techniques or recommendations through refresher courses or online resources.