The number of sudden cardiac arrests outside the hospital (SCAOH) per day in the US is estimated at 1,000 people, which is more than concerning. Fort Worth counts many SCAOH cases and tries to raise awareness of the importance of CPR in such situations.
Creating CPR-Aware communities in Fort Worth begins by addressing the frequency of SCAOH and encouraging the general public to take part.
The first step in becoming collectively responsible for reducing the number of sudden cardiac arrest deaths is to take a CPR class and intervene on the scene. Fort Worth citizens have many options for excellent CPR classes, and below, we explore the details of CPR classes and their importance.
Frequency of SCAOH in Fort Worth
The percentage of SCAOHs varies over the years. In 2019, a study found that the number of SCAOH significantly decreased. However, with the global spread of COVID-19, the number of calls the emergency response teams had to respond to doubled in every part of the US.
According to medical news, the Fort Worth ambulance had 100% more cardiac arrest cases in July 2020 than in July 2019. Sudden cardiac arrests affect all people, regardless of their comorbidities or race. Moreover, a study conducted by AHA journals finds that African Americans are more affected by sudden cardiac arrests than others.
All in all, we can conclude that all people living in Fort Worth can be affected by sudden cardiac arrest, and given the final reports, it is high time to take responsibility and reduce the number of deaths due to SCAOH. CPR is the first step.
How Is CPR Helpful in Cases of SCAOH?
Texas statutes and regulations regarding CPR regulate CPR protocols in many industries, not just medical or nursing homes. For example, Fort Worth implements the CPR training school curriculums. The Texas Education Code requires all schools to instruct students in hands-on CPR in grades 7-12, and each student must have completed the CPR training before they graduate. In other words, students cannot graduate without passing the CPR test.
The reason AHA insists on creating CPR-aware communities in Fort Worth among the younger generations is because this technique is vital in SCAOH cases. In case of a sudden cardiac arrest, the heart stops pumping blood and delivering the necessary oxygen to organs in the body and the brain. This means the brain has about 4 minutes of being deprived of oxygen before permanent brain damage takes place. Death occurs at the 6-minute mark.
Providing CPR in these situations means taking over the role of the heart. The heart compressions manually stimulate the heart to pump blood to the brain, and the rescue breaths deliver the necessary amount of oxygen. After some time, the heart will retrieve the rhythm and proceed as normally.
Encouraging Bystanders to Take Action and Provide Help
Many people refuse to provide CPR to victims of sudden cardiac arrests for fear of worsening the situation and facing possible charges. If you belong to this group, you may be unaware of the Good Samaritan Law that has been adopted in all states in the US, including Texas.
Fort Worth, as part of Texas, protects all untrained bystanders who decide to step up and give CPR in case of a critical medical emergency from civil liability with the Good Samaritan Law. Therefore, all citizens in Fort Worth are encouraged to take action and provide help when needed.
However, keep in mind that the Good Samaritan Law does not protect bystanders who act negligently while giving CPR. So, while the bystander doesn’t need to have CPR training to help, they should have a basic understanding of the procedure to avoid fatal injuries.
The Importance of Proper CPR Training
Proper CPR training is crucial when you have a medical emergency because the survival chances decrease by 10% with every minute without CPR. By training, we refer to knowledge and awareness of how CPR helps when a heart stops pumping blood and practical skills that follow the descriptive guidelines for applying pressure, compression depth, and other specifications customized to the victim’s age and body.
A person without practical knowledge of CPR is more likely not to execute the compressions or rescue breath correctly and cause injuries to the victim, worsening the situation.
To become qualified in CPR and join the mission of creating CPR-aware communities in Fort Worth, you have to take CPR classes and obtain the necessary certificate. Fort Worth counts many CPR certificate providers with different types of training, learning methods, or formats. However, each of the classes has a different purpose and validity. Check out the types of CPR classes in more detail below.
Types of CPR Classes
CPR certificate providers have an extensive list of CPR programs that focus on different topics. For example, you have the:
- Adult CPR and AED – This program focuses on providing CPR and using an AED on people 12 and older.
- Pediatric CPR and AED – This program focuses on performing CPR on children and infants and teaches candidates how to use AEDs on babies.
- Adult CPR and AED + First Aid – This program covers adult CPR but also includes the basics of first aid, such as how to respond in case of an open wound, how to stop blood loss, etc.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) – This is an advanced program that targets people who already have basic CPR training or a medical background. The topics discussed during this class are extensive and usually the most expensive.
These are the most popular programs of CPR classes in Fort Worth, but there are many more, such as the ALS, First Aid-Only, Adult and Pediatric CPR and AED combination, CPR for instructors, and so on. If you are a beginner in CPR, the ideal option is Adult CPR and AED, but acquiring pediatric CPR may also come in handy in many case scenarios.
Methods of Teaching CPR
Once you pick the program you want to enroll in, you will notice that there are several options for following that class, such as:
Online CPR Class
Candidates follow these classes remotely or online from the comfort of their homes. These are usually the most affordable CPR classes compared to others. However, keep in mind that these classes cover only the theory of CPR, meaning you will not be able to practice CPR on a manikin.
In-person CPR Class
These CPR classes take place in a training center where you will follow the class in a group or one-on-one with a licensed instructor. These classes are the priciest, but the curriculum includes theoretical and practical exercises. After completing the first part, you will be able to put your knowledge into practice and receive feedback from a licensed instructor. At the end of the class, you will have to take a final test, and if you pass it, you will receive your CPR certificate.
Hybrid CPR Class
The hybrid CPR class refers to following the theory online and taking the practical part of CPR in a training center under the surveillance of a certified CPR instructor. The price for these classes can go higher than the in-person CPR class.
Building CPR Responsible Community in Fort Worth: Conclusion
Fort Worth is one of the most populated cities in Texas. This means the possibility of sudden cardiac arrests is quite common here.
Thankfully, nowadays, the approach to CPR is much more simplified, encouraging all age groups to take action and join the mission of creating CPR-aware communities in Fort Worth.
Moreover, schools are obliged to implement CPR training in the curriculums. Teenagers have to pass the CPR training to be able to graduate.
There are many CPR providers in Fort Worth where you can obtain your CPR certificate. Remember that online-only classes are not enough to prepare you for a real-life situation because you lack practical skills. Research your options, and reserve your spot. Fort Worth needs your contribution!