Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Many risk factors tied to cardiovascular emergencies stem from unhealthy lifestyle choices, which only further aggravates the problem.
Raising awareness regarding better life choices can only do so much for cardiac arrest victims. It’s also important that the whole population is familiar with life-saving techniques as a final effort to make a difference.
That’s why medical professionals encourage bystanders to help keep SCA victims alive until first responders arrive. This can be done by administering first aid, including CPR and AED. Even hands-only CPR is often enough to prevent oxygen loss and permanent brain damage until the victim receives in-hospital care.
In this article, we’ll shine a light on the significance of hands-on CPR training and how Las Vegas can work towards establishing heart-safe spaces.
Anyone in Las Vegas Can Learn How to Perform CPR
Thanks to the existence of the Good Samaritan Law in Nevada, regular citizens are safe to deliver cardiopulmonary resuscitation to an SCA victim without facing possible lawsuits. This particular law allows people to act with the intent to help a person in distress without suffering consequences due to not being “equipped” to help.
For instance, if you happen to walk past a person in the mall and they fall unconscious, you can deliver CPR if you know how; in other words, you won’t have to just stand and wait for the EMTs to arrive and waste precious time.
Nonetheless, the Good Samaritan Law in Nevada comes with a set of exceptions that will hold help-givers responsible if they act on gross negligence, are paid to help, perform illegal activities, and other instances.
All in all, if you are a bystander and happen to witness someone going through a heart emergency, you can act as a first responder and perform CPR (if you’re trained to do so) immediately; the Good Samaritan Law shields you from liability.
The Importance of CPR for Communities in Las Vegas
In today’s fast-paced world, where medical emergencies can strike at any moment, it is crucial for individuals, especially those in large institutions like schools, colleges, or universities, to possess the life-saving knowledge of CPR.
Shockingly, despite the potential impact and prevalence of such emergencies, many Americans still lack this essential skill. According to the Cleveland Clinic’s Heart Health Survey of 2017, just over half of Americans (54%) believe they know how to perform CPR.
How CPR Training Can Help
Yet, there’s still hope along the way. By participating in a CPR class, teachers and professors can gain the confidence and abilities necessary to save lives when faced with critical situations. The benefits of knowing CPR extend far beyond the classroom, as giving CPR can prevent brain damage and even help victims of cardiac arrest return to their everyday lives post-treatment.
With the potential to make a profound difference, it is imperative that everyone receives proper CPR training and that first aid kits are readily available in classrooms and public spaces to provide additional support.
By implementing CPR training in schools, students are empowered to respond effectively in emergencies. Moreover, learning hands-on CPR equips students with critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, enabling them to become true lifesavers.
Empowering Communities Through Hands-on CPR Education
The significance of CPR education extends beyond the ability to save a life; it serves as a unifying force within communities. By equipping bystanders with CPR knowledge and skills, such education has the potential to paint ordinary individuals as real-life heroes. In Las Vegas, the pursuit of CPR education does not only contribute to a safer city but also propels it toward a future of preparedness and resilience.
Extensive studies have demonstrated that immediate bystander intervention through CPR boosts survival rates in emergency situations to a great extent. Recognizing this, the city of Las Vegas has made hands-on CPR training widely accessible, encouraging locals to learn new life-saving techniques.
The American Heart Association states that uninterrupted CPR on an SCA victim can potentially double or even triple the chances of survival. Given the fact that 90% of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests result in death, it is alarming that a lot of people are still reluctant to learn how to perform CPR.
Becoming CPR Trained Is a Hands-On Investment in One’s Confidence
Since medical professionals are not the only ones allowed to perform CPR, the rest of us are granted the opportunity to keep someone alive until trained professionals arrive on the scene of the accident.
Regrettably, cardiac arrest numbers in the U.S. grow each year. Research shows that close to 73.4% of all cardiac arrest cases happen in people’s homes, which makes the need for CPR training that much more essential.
The American Heart Association, along with the Red Cross, has accredited many CPR training centers in Las Vegas to offer citizens comprehensive and easy-to-follow CPR classes. Also, large groups can attend these classes at once, which can be a great opportunity for communities to join their efforts.
Speaking of communities, a well-prepared one is a bastion of its members. If a member of a community suffers a medical emergency, the rest of the community comes together to deliver the victim from peril. Being CPR-ready can mean life or death to an SCA victim. When enrolling in a CPR class, members of a community add significant value to the level of preparedness of the community as a group, delivering a sense of calmness, security, and protection.
What Will Community Members Learn in a Hands-On CPR Class?
Community leaders and members will benefit from CPR training in more ways than one. Besides learning about the life-saving capabilities of the technique and the basic physiology of the cardiac system, class participants will also be instructed on:
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- Identifying sudden cardiac arrest
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- Proper hand placement
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- The optimal number of chest compressions per minute
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- Proper positioning of the victim’s body
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- Learning child, infant, or adult-specific CPR
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- Performing hands-only CPR
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- When and how to deliver rescue breaths if needed
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- How and when to use an automated external defibrillator (AED)
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- Learning the importance of continuous chest compressions until professionals take over
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- Working as part of a team when performing CPR, and more.
Las Vegas Is the Perfect Place for Communities to Become CPR-Trained
By getting involved in hands-on CPR training, empowering communities in Las Vegas is easier than ever. It’s a great way to build a sense of belonging and togetherness, which is crucial when medical emergencies arise. CPR classes in Las Vegas are abundant, so there’s really no hassle when choosing the right one for your community. All you need to do is research your area for CPR training centers and choose the one that works for you and your community members the most.
Imagine that every other member of your community is trained in CPR or first aid, so when someone suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, all of you can rest assured they’ll be taken care of until professional help arrives. In a medical emergency, every second is important, and CPR is the best technique to make every tick of the clock count.
The Final Say: Hands-On CPR Training, Empowering Communities in Las Vegas
Cardiovascular diseases contribute greatly to mortality rates around the world. Whether it be due to lifestyle choices or hereditary conditions, cardiac arrest remains a public health concern in the US.
Each state, including Nevada, has its own set of laws regarding bystander CPR called Good Samaritan Laws. These laws grant bystanders the ability to help SCA victims despite not having training.
Nonetheless, being trained in CPR can only further help your community in its efforts to reduce cardiac arrest deaths. Besides teaching you basic life-saving skills, CPR classes provide practical lessons to help you remain calm and work efficiently in an emergency.
CPR training is straightforward, affordable, and accommodating for almost everyone, so you won’t have any trouble finding a suitable AHA or Red Cross-licensed CPR training provider for you and your community.