The Importance of CPR in Sudden Cardiac Arrest

The Importance of CPR in Sudden Cardiac Arrest

By Adrian Waller, Public Safety Manager, ZOLL.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest SCA is an indiscriminate killer with a dismal survival rate of between 5 and 7%. While half the victims are elderly and over the age of 67, SCA can strike younger victims, including those appearing to be in excellent health, athletes and even young children. It’s the leading cause of death worldwide and is responsible for over 150,000 deaths a year in the United Kingdom alone. SCA is not the same as a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction or AMI). A heart attack is caused by a blockage in an artery that supplies blood to the heart. The affected heart muscle then begins to die due to lack of oxygen. Symptoms include central crushing chest pain, often radiating to arms and jaw. The patient, however usually remains awake and alert. A heart attack can degenerate into Ventricular Fibrillation when the victim becomes totally unresponsive. The Resuscitation Guidelines 2005 state that the optimum treatment for sudden cardiac arrest or ventricular fibrillation is immediate good quality CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and electrical “defibrillation” delivered by Compressions within Guidelines.

With Real CPR Help using and AED (Automated External Defibrillator). Several recent studies have also indicated that approximately 50% of SCA victims at the time of the first heart rhythm analysis have deteriorated into aystole or a non- shockable rhythm, where then the only effective treatment becomes good quality CPR, which can reconvert the heart back to ventricular fibrillation to enable the AED to delivery the essential defibrillatory shock.

The resuscitation guidelines 2005 clearly highlight the critical importance of high-quality uninterrupted chest compressions on the survival of the sudden cardiac arrest patient.When a rescuer attempts to deliver CPR, Interruptions to chest compressions must be minimized. As stopping CPR the blood flow through the body decreases significantly; on resuming chest compressions, several compressions are necessary before the coronary flow recovers to its previous level. Recent evidence indicates that unnecessary interruptions to chest compressions occur frequently both in and out of hospital. What does CPR do? CPR provides a small but critical amount of blood to the heart and the brain. CPR can prolong the time VF is present and increases the likelihood that a shock will terminate VF and allow the heart to resume an effective rhythm and effective systemic perfusion.

CPR is especially important if defibrillation isn’t delivered for four or more minutes after a collapse. By that time, the heart has become distended because it has stopped pumping, yet the veins continue delivering blood to the heart. CPR helps evacuate this blood, which significantly increases the chances it will be effective. All victims of SCA need immediate CPR. The principal reason to do CPR is that it helps pump oxygenated blood to the heart; in and of itself, it can bring a person back to life. The 2005 Resuscitation Guidelines elevated CPR as an essential part of the rescue, stating that CPR is critical if an AED advises “No Shock” and in the event a shock is advised, it must be accompanied by good quality CPR.

The 2005 Guidelines made significant changes to the rescue and AED protocols. There was unanimous support for increased emphasis on ensuring that rescuers deliver high-quality CPR, which is what rescuers need to provide.

In all, the 2005 Guidelines reinforce that continuous chest compressions keep perfusion up so the heart, brain and other vital organs get more oxygenated blood together with defibrillation will increase the chance of Return Of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC) and note that all interruptions are bad because they stop perfusion.

The provision of AED’s in the work place and wider community has been rapidly increasing over the last few years and it is estimated that there are over 10,000 deployed across the UK. The technology used in AED’s has made them easy to use with a minimum amount of training. The real issue is however whether or not the AED will advise shock at the time when you are going to use it and equally as important are you able to deliver the high quality CPR required for a prolonged period of time. The ZOLL AED Plus is unique, in so much that it not only delivers the defibrillatory shock if required, but also it also fully supports the rescuers attempt to deliver good quality CPR. Utilizing a system known as “Real CPR Help®”, this has now become a standard feature across the entire range of all ZOLL’s defibrillators. This gives the rescuer the best real-time feedback to optimize the patient’s opportunity for a return to spontaneous circulation.

Real CPR Help is constantly looking at the delivery of chest compressions and will assist all rescuers with the following feedback and prompting for help in providing effective manual CPR.

For a full range of Zoll AED units and Trainers please see ITG First Aid and ITG Instructor Training and FIrst Aid

ITG Special prices on ZOLL AED units and trainers

With the help of Zoll we have now been able to reduce the cost of the Zoll AED trainer from £495 plus VAT to £395 plus VAT to all our customers.  In addition to this the price of the live AED units has reduced by £200.

Zoll are the leaders in AED units and trainers and we use them on all our courses.  They are the only units that give real CPR help with respect of frequency and depth.  This is very important and recognised by the ERC and UK Resus.

To order simply email  keith@itg-first-aid.com

More information can be found at our main first aid site or our other first aid site

Some information on the Zoll AED. Special prices now available

The ZOLL AED Plus™ does more than just defibrillate. It is the only AED that ensures Infrequent rescuers respond appropriately during a sudden cardiac arrest emergency .How? It coaches them quickly and simply through every important step of the rescue process. Only the AED Plus with its exclusive, one-piece electrode can measure the rate and depth of chest compressions during CPR. It immediately tells rescuers how well compressions are being performed. With graphic and audio prompts that deliver instantaneous Prompts and feedback, only the AED Plus ensures rescuers can perform the most effective CPR. And every victim needs the best possible CPR to survive. ZOLL’s AED Plus is the only AED that helps the rescuer achieve the correct rate and depth of chest compressions during CPR. No other AED has this capability.

The ZOLL®AED Plus™ unique graphical interface, pictures combined with text displays and voice prompts helps the rescuer every step of the way.

The AED features CPR-D•padz™ a one-piece, preconnected electrode with  RealCPRHelp™.

By using CPR hand placement as the landmark, it is easy to place the

CPR-D•padz™ on the victim quickly. The CPR-D•padz™ also lasts five years – the longest shelf life of any electrode sold today.

The lid of the AED Plus is designed to act as a passive airway support.

The ZOLL®AED Plus™ can defibrillate children up to eight years of age, using the pedi•padz II™ electrodes. When the pedi•padz II are connected, the ZOLL®AED Plus™ recognises that a paediatric rescue is in progress.

• All information recorded by the AED Plus in an emergency, including CPR compression data, ECG, and optional audio recording, can be evaluated and analysed by a medical professional for retrospective analysis.

• Data can be downloaded via a standard infrared port, found on computers and Pocket PCs.

• Self-Testing every one to seven days, assures constant readiness

• Supplied complete with carry bag, batteries, adult CPRD-Pad electrode, prep pack comprising a CPR barrier mask, scissors, disposable gloves, a prep razor, a towel and a moist towelette.

• The AED Plus can be wall mounted using the optional mounting bracket. A wall cabinet is also available for public access storage

Need more information or would like to buy a live or training unit at a special ITG price contact us or see our first aid instructor website or our other first aid site

Information on how e-learning helps business

Have a look at a video that we made on how the e-learning works to help business.

See the website and register at Pro First Aid at Work

Resus Key Fob with your company name on

We are now able to offer key fobs with your company logo on and one line of text like your phone number or website address. As often is the case when buying these the wait is 4-8 weeks as they are printed oversea’s.

The good news is that unlike most companies where you need to order 500 the minimum order is only 100 units.  The cost is low as well at £200 plus VAT for 100 units.  If you want to speed the delivrery up then you can pay an extra £30 and they will attempt to deliver in 4 weeks.  To order drop us an email and we will send you details.  Remember the logo cannot be too detailed as it needs to fit on a small item but for a small extra charge you can add extra print colours.

Price: £200 plus VAT for 100 units

Register on Google Maps for free

Google Maps

Setting up your centre on Google Maps is highly recommended – when someone searches in your area you will be included in the listings. Its free so well worth doing.

You do not have to own a website to list yourself in Google Maps you may just put your physical address, phone number and an email address

Go to Google Google Maps

http://www.google.com/local/add/analyticsSplashPage?message=qbwelcome&hl=en-GB&gl=GB

Select put your business on Google Maps

Add a new listing

Fill out the Address Information etc and your main phone number

Select add more phone numbers and enter mobile number (this can be  removed later if you want and will be used for them to text you your verification number)

Put First Aid Training etc in the description.

Type in Training Provider for the Category then add another category and put in First Aid Courses etc.

You can then enter your business hours and payment options if you want to, if not then just leave them blank

You can also add photographs and video if you want to.

Select how you want to validate your listing – Select SMS or telephone – be warned this will come through almost immediately.

When you have the pin number go to Google maps and enter the pin – and that’s it.

Need information on first aid instructor courses

Are you listed on first aid junction yet?

Online first aid training

Email Updates from this Blog

We have added a email update to this blog so that you can receive an email of any new updates. If you are viewing this with RSS and would like email updates as well, see the link on the left.

First aid instructor training

Our new Facebook application for Hands-Only CPR Training

We would like to invite you all to use our new Facebook application for Hands-Only CPR Training.  This is for our sister company in USA so  you will need to allow for EU rules but it will give you some practice.  Remember we do not do check for a pulse, once we know the person is not breathing we activate EMS and start compressions.

We encourage everyone to use the app to help spread the word about the free video training that we offer.  It will help to spread awareness of the importance of CPR training.  Even if you already have a professional certification, you can help to spread the word about this free training to your friends on Facebook simply by using the app.

This application was created in honor of National CPR and AED Awareness Week, which is the first week of June every year.  Do your part to spread the word, especially if you find CPR to be a valuable skill that is worth knowing.

Find the application: http://apps.facebook.com/hands_only_cpr

Also see www.protrainings.eu

For First Aid instructor training courses see ITG Instructor Training Website

Video from the British Heart Foundation on what it’s like to have a heart attack

Have a look at the following video, it was produced to increase the awareness of heart attacks and to make people call for help whenever they suspect they are in trouble.

Blog from Roy Shaw of ProCPR USA

In this blog, one of the world’s most watched instructors, let’s his “Training Mask” slip a little and reveals some of the more personal things about himself and his business and training career. This blog will answer some of the questions you might have regarding who Roy Shaw is, why he does what he does, and why anyone should listen to Roy on Rescue.

You will see more of Roy on our new e-learning sites when they go live shortly.

Check it out at http://www.royonrescue.com/