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AHA Survey: Few confident they can perform life-saving techniques
CHARLESTON -- Most Americans don't believe they could perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) to help save a life in a cardiac emergency, according to a recent American Heart Association survey.
In an online survey of more than 1,100 adults, 89 percent said they were willing and able to do something to help if they witnessed a medical emergency. Yet only 21 percent were confident they could perform CPR, and only 15 percent believed they could use an AED in an emergency. More than half of those surveyed didn't recognize an AED in a typical setting. Survey respondents reported lack of confidence, concern about legal consequences and fear of hurting a victim as reasons they would not take action in a cardiac emergency.
The American Heart Association released the survey results as part of the inaugural National CPR/AED Awareness Week, June 1 to 7. The intent of the week is to encourage the public to get CPR training and learn how to use an AED to reduce death and disability from sudden cardiac arrest.
Only about 6 percent of out-of-hospital victims of sudden cardiac arrest survive. Without immediate, effective CPR, the chance of surviving out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest decreases 7 to 10 percent per minute. Even if CPR is performed, defibrillation with an AED is required to stop the abnormal rhythm and restore a normal heart rhythm.
The American Heart Association provides classroom CPR and AED instruction, as well as a self-paced CPR kit that includes an inflatable mannequin and instructional DVD. The association's adult Hands-Only CPR educates untrained people to call 9-1-1 and push hard and fast on the center of an adult victim's chest until help arrives.
AEDs are available in many public places such as schools, airports and workplaces and will guide the user through the process with clear voice cues. The devices are strategically deployed and maintained to ensure that they are ready in a medical emergency, and will not deliver a shock unless a shockable rhythm is detected.
More information about the survey and National CPR/AED Awareness Week is available at americanheart.org/CPR&AEDweek or by calling 877-AHA-4CPR.
