DALLAS, May 28 — 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 1-7. 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 (SCA).
Unfortunately, only about six percent of out-of-hospital SCA victims survive. Without immediate, effective CPR, the chance of surviving out-of-hospital SCA decreases seven 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.
“We think it’s critical for people to get CPR training and learn how to use an AED,” said Lance Becker, M.D., professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and spokesperson for the American Heart Association. “CPR and AED use are inextricably linked in the SCA survival chain, and it’s crucial that bystanders take rapid action. If more people are trained and respond, we can save thousands more lives.”
The American Heart Association provides classroom CPR and AED instruction, as well as a self-paced CPR Anytime Kit that includes an inflatable manikin and instructional DVD. The association’s adult Hands-OnlyTM CPR educates untrained people to call 9-1-1 and push hard and fast on the center of an adult SCA victim’s chest until help arrives.
Designed to be simple and intuitive, AEDs are available in many public places such as schools, airports and workplaces and will guide the user through the process with clear, calm 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.
“There’s no reason for people to be afraid to act,” Becker said. “We want people to feel confident that whatever action they choose — whether using an AED or performing conventional CPR or adult Hands-Only CPR — they are doing something to help, which could be a lifesaving decision.”
SCA survivor Jenifer Fergusson knows first hand about the importance of people taking action. The New York native suffered an SCA at work when two coworkers immediately came to her aid. Due to their quick actions, Jenifer survived her cardiac event.
“My coworkers are true heroes,” she said. “I’m so grateful they had the skills and courage to perform CPR and use a defibrillator when I went into cardiac arrest. Thankfully, my company had an AED onsite. If my colleagues hadn’t acted or the AED was not available, I might not be here today.”
Other results from the survey include:
• Sixty-five percent said they had received CPR training, but only 18 percent reported having received AED training.
• Two-thirds of those trained in using CPR and AEDs were required to for their jobs, school or the military.
• Respondents’ reasons for not getting trained included not thinking about it or not being required.
• Most respondents (89 percent) believe that providers of adult day care should be trained in using CPR and AEDs. Most (86 percent) also want training for child care workers.
• The majority (88 percent) of people surveyed support requiring schools to have emergency plans, and 65 percent want public places to have AEDs on site.
Philips Healthcare sponsored the survey to raise awareness of CPR and AEDs.
For more information about the survey results and National CPR/AED Awareness Week, visit americanheart.org/CPR&AEDweek or call 1-877-AHA-4CPR.
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Editor’s Note: For full survey results, go to americanheart.org/CPR&AEDweek
About the American Heart Association
Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association today is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers, and all other cardiovascular diseases claim nearly 870,000 lives a year. In fiscal year 2006-07 the association invested more than $554 million in research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives. To learn more, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org.
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a global leader in healthcare, lighting and consumer lifestyle, delivering people-centric, innovative products, services and solutions through the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 134,200 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of USD 42.5 billion (EUR 27 billion) in 2007, the company is a market leader in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring systems, energy efficient lighting solutions, as well as lifestyle solutions for personal wellbeing. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.
How to Improve Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survival Addendum to Media Release
National CPR/AED Awareness Week
People who could benefit from CPR training and/or how to use an AED:
-- Parents
-- Pool owners
-- People with family members who have a history of heart-related medical
problems
-- People who live in high density areas (traffic and other factors could
impede emergency responders' timely arrival on the scene)
-- People who live in rural areas (emergency responders may have to
travel a long distance to reach the scene)
-- Anyone who is a potential bystander
Things a caregiver could do to prepare for an emergency cardiac situation:
-- Get CPR training
-- Learn how to use an AED
-- Ask if places where you and your family spend time, like the gym,
daycare and the workplace train their employees in CPR and have an AED
onsite.
-- Make sure you know where the AED is at those locations, so you are
prepared for an emergency
-- Update your training so you get skills practice
Things a company could do to be prepared for an emergency cardiac situation:
• Have an emergency action plan in place
• Practice your emergency action plan
• Train employees in CPR
• Have an AED onsite
• Train employees to use an AED
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On the web: http://americanheart.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=429
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