 American Red Cross Offers Compression-Only CPR Practice Kit
Product helps prepare people to Be Red Cross Ready during cardiac arrest emergencies
* * Interviews and demonstrations by Red Cross experts are available * *
St. Louis, Tuesday, April 22, 2008 – As part of a regional effort to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter is offering a First Aid and CPR for Everyone kit – an at-home tool for practicing compression-only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). This easy-to-use product has been developed in response to recent medical research that shows continuous compression-only CPR can be effective in caring for a person with no signs of life when a rescuer is unable, untrained or unwilling to perform full CPR.
“The First Aid and CPR for Everyone kit allows people without formal training to become familiar with lifesaving techniques that could add minutes to a person’s life between the time a 9-1-1 call is made and the ambulance arrives,” said Maxine Hepper, American Red Cross executive officer of health and safety services. “Time is critical in life-threatening emergencies. If oxygen doesn’t get to the brain within four to six minutes after breathing stops, permanent brain damage or death can occur. CPR is vital to getting oxygen to the brain once the heart stops beating.”
“This innovative product is not intended to replace the skills learned or the certification gained by participating in a Red Cross training course. But its availability allows the public to gain greater awareness and familiarity with relevant lifesaving information and skills,” added Hepper.
The kit is a portable, reasonably priced practice tool that can be used at home, in the office, in classrooms and other places where space allows. The box set features an illustrated guide to demonstrate hand placement on the chest and a compression practice tool to help measure just the right amount of pressure needed to properly administer chest compressions.
Other items included in the kit are the full-length DVD and Emergency First Aid Guide. The instructional DVD features an introduction by Super Bowl XLI MVP Peyton Manning. As a bonus, the kit contains an Emergency Action Steps Wallet Card, which offers instructions and a full pictorial on how to help someone suffering a cardiac emergency.
Many experts believe bystanders who witness an adult suddenly collapsing may be more inclined to perform compression-only CPR if they know they don’t have to administer mouth-to-mouth breathing. According to Hepper, “If a bystander is unwilling, unable, untrained or is no longer able to perform full CPR (cycles of chest compressions and rescue breaths), calling 9-1-1 or the local emergency number and then performing continuous chest compressions – approximately 100 per minute – until professional medical help arrives may benefit anyone in cardiac arrest.”
The First Aid and CPR for Everyone kit and other American Red Cross products can be purchased through the St. Louis Area Chapter by calling (314) 516-2738 or ordering online at jsalsman@redcrossstl.org. Retail price of the kit is $9.95 plus shipping.
Incidence of sudden cardiac arrest and impact of CPR
Each year, approximately 325,000 Americans die as a result of sudden cardiac arrest suffered outside the hospital setting – that’s about 900 American deaths every single day. Time is of the essence inlife threatening emergencies. Survivors of Sudden Cardiac Arrest have an excellent prognosis: 83% survive at least one year and 57% survive five or more years. Last year, the St. Louis Area Chapter trained over 82,000 people in CPR and First Aid.
About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter
Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter celebrates 91 years of dedicated service, providing emergency relief and preparedness training more than 446,600 times each year. The Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, services to military personnel and support for blood services. The Chapter, a United Way agency, provides programs and services to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, as well as Monroe, St. Clair (including Scott Air Force Base) and part of Madison County in Illinois. All disaster relief services are provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of the American people. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.# # #
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