Local experts on CPR, AED machines, and Life Saving Tips

Local experts on CPR, AED machines, and Life Saving Tips
This first week in June marks CPR and AED Awareness week. The campaign hopes to encourage more people to use life-saving skills.

Ocean City’s Fire Department, Tidal Health, and The American Red Cross all agree that knowing CPR and how to use an AED machine, isn’t just a useful skill, but it can potentially save a life.

Theresa Young from the American Red Cross says they train thousands of people yearly to instill confidence in individuals so they can step in when something’s wrong. “Every year more that 350,000 people experience a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital and 90% of those individuals die… the biggest mistake around CPR, are the people who are watching and who are afraid to respond because they’re afraid they’re going to cause harm- but harm is not acting.”

Studies show that patients with the highest success rate received CPR within the first 10 minutes of being unconscious. This is why experts tell us it is important to know the basics.

Paige Tronosky is an Education Assistant for Atlantic General and says CPR is extremely easy to learn and apply. “70% of cardiac arrest happen in homes, where people who do not know how to do CPR, are usually around.” Atlantic General Hospital. says that cpr should be done with 2 hands, and one for a child. “If it’s an infant you want to use your two thumbs and it’s kind of like a butterfly motion.”

The Ocean City Fire Department believes if people are prepared, they can jump in to help without worrying about germs. “Everyone has a fear that mouth-to-mouth can get them sick… The American Heart Association has made it very simple with hands only CPR.” Ryan Whittington says you should always stay diligent. ” Sudden Cardiac arrest can occur anytime anywhere even on vacation.”

In the end, experts say to be safe, and help if you can, you never know what could happen. Experts also describe the use of an AED- or Automated External Defibrillator. This is a portable device that can help save someone’s life during sudden cardiac arrest. There are directions on the machine so that anyone can use it.

The American Red Cross and the Ocean City Fire Department say they will train any individual, group, or organization, that would like to become certified, or more educated on the topic.