November is CPR Month 2012- Canadian Red Cross

November is CPR Month 2012

This November, be the somebody who saves a life

If you witnessed a family member in cardiac arrest, would you know what to do?

Although the majority of Canadians say they would recognize the signs if someone were experiencing a heart attack or another cardiac emergency, fewer than half say they have the skills to help in this common and life-threatening emergency.

November is CPR Month and the Canadian Red Cross challenges everyone to get the training they need to help save a life. Effective bystander CPR, when used in conjunction with an AED and administered immediately following cardiac arrest, can double a person’s chance of survival.

More than 50,000 Canadians die of coronary disease every year.
Nearly 60 per cent of Canadians who have had to perform first aid did so to help a family member.
Canadians who have taken a First Aid Course are considerably more confident in their skills to be able to help someone experiencing a medical emergency.

Red Cross CPR courses also include training on the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs): how to assess a person in cardiac arrest, determine whether defibrillation (a shock to the heart to restore normal beating) should be performed, and use an AED unit to deliver a shock if required. The Red Cross is the only national training agency to include AED training as a mandatory component in all our programs.

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