Home & Lifestyle Autumn 2018

RESUSCITATION/CPR - STEPS TO SAVING A LIFE

T he first few minutes following an accident are crucial. The treatment a casualty receives in this time can often affect their outcome. Sometimes it can mean the difference between life and death. The statistics for cardiac arrest don’t lie. Sadly, the average survival rate for someone that has a cardiac arrest out of hospital, is only 5-10%. However, if a patient receives immediate and quality CPR and defibrillation, their chances of

survival can be improved dramatically. In some cases, early CPR and defibrillation can produce survival rates as high as 75% Aid training can prepare you to provide these life saving techniques and improve the outcomes for someone that has been injured or fallen ill. In an emergency people often fail to provide adequate care for a casualty. Some people when faced with a crisis often are overcome by fear and anxiety

and may panic. Bystanders to an accident can have fears that they may do the wrong thing, cause further injury to a casualty or be harmed themselves, such as catching a disease. These reactions can often result in a delay in a casualty receiving the necessary treatment or the quality of the treatment being compromised. First Aid awareness can provide the opportunity for people to learn exactly what to do and be able to overcome any of these fears.

& Lifestyle Magazine | Autumn 2018 15

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