Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. On any given day, an average of 900 Americans die as a result of an unexpected loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness.

Want to make a difference? Get trained in CPR. Here’s why you should:

1. CPR Saves Lives

When someone is in cardiac arrest literally every second counts. Their heart begins beating irregularly, stopping blood from being pumped to the brain, lungs and other vital organs. Every minute they are without circulation, the chance for their survival decreases. When CPR is performed, they are given a second chance at life. CPR helps keep blood circulating until emergency responders arrive on the scene with more advanced lifesaving tools.

Worried about what happens if you start CPR and the person doesn’t survive? Don’t be.

The national Good Samaritan law protects bystanders and their actions when they decide to help someone in an emergency. Chest-compression-only CPR and conventional CPR are both covered under the Good Samaritan Law. It does not matter whether or not you are CPR certified.

2. No more mouth-to-mouth

In previous years people may have been somewhat hesitant to perform CPR on strangers because it called for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Guidelines changed in 2010 and now CPR includes a hands-only format. The American Heart Association reports that hands-only CPR is just as effective has conventional CPR and it can double or triple a victim’s chance of surviving sudden cardiac arrest. The American Heart Association recommends that during hands-only CPR there should be a chest rate push of 100 to 120 compressions each minute. The association ironically suggests using the beat of “Staying Alive” to help keep count.

3. Most instances of cardiac arrests occur in the home

The American Heart Association reports that each year more than 350,000 people experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Chances are you won’t have to look far to find one of the most likely places cardiac arrest will occur – nearly 70 percent of incidents happen in the home. Without CPR, it is estimated that 90 percent of them will die. That means when you learn CPR, you’re likely to use it saving someone that you love.

Meridian offers health-related short courses that range from Infant/Child CPR for Family and Friends to a variety of heath industry certification classes in the Health section beginning on page 17. Call 405.377.3333 to register.