CPR Facts American Heart Association CPR and First Aid

Immediate CPR can double or triple chances of survival after cardiac arrest. In one year alone, 475,000 Americans die from a cardiac arrest. Globally, cardiac arrest claims more lives than colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, influenza, pneumonia, auto accidents, HIV, firearms, and house fires combined.

An Emergency Lifesaving Procedure

CPR – or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation – is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. Immediate CPR can double or triple chances of survival after cardiac arrest.

In one year alone, 475,000 Americans die from a cardiac arrest.

Globally, cardiac arrest claims more lives than colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, influenza, pneumonia, auto accidents, HIV, firearms, and house fires combined.

More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital each year.

In 2015, any-mention sudden cardiac arrest mortality in the US was 366,807. CPR, especially if administered immediately after cardiac arrest, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. About 90 percent of people who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest die.

Bystander CPR improves survival.

According to 2014 data, nearly 45 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims survived when bystander CPR was administered.

The majority of Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrests (OHCA) occurs at public settings (18.8 percent), mostly homes/residences (69.5%) and nursing homes (11.7%).

Help is needed immediately.

Unfortunately, only about 46% of people who experience an OHCA get the immediate help that they need before professional help arrives. The 2017 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics state that among the 356,000 OHCA that occurred, 45.7% (or 46%) received bystander CPR.

Workplace Safety

There are about 10,000 cardiac arrests in the workplace each year in the United States, according to a report from the US Occupational Safety & Health Administration.

Did you know: only 50% of people can locate an automated external defibrillator (AED) at work?

With 10,000 cardiac arrests annually in the workplace, knowing this small piece of information has the potential to save thousands of lives.

Workplace Statistics

Among 2,000 employees in corporate offices, hospitality, education and industry/labor:

• 55 percent can’t get first aid or CPR and AED training from their employer.
• If training is available, it’s often either CPR or first aid, not both.
• Half of all US workers cannot locate an AED at work.
• In the hospitality industry, 66 percent of employees cannot locate an AED.

Out-of-hospital Chain of Survival

The term Chain of Survival provides a useful metaphor for the elements of the ECC systems concept.

The 5 links in the adult out-of-hospital Chain of Survival are:

• Recognition of cardiac arrest and activation of the emergency response system
• Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with an emphasis on chest compressions
• Rapid defibrillation
• Basic and advanced emergency medical services
• Advanced life support and post-cardiac arrest care

A strong Chain of Survival can improve chances of survival and recovery for victims of cardiac arrest.