Time Matters: Why Is Immediate Help Crucial During SCA Emergencies?

By Zack Zarrilli Updated on January 26, 2017
in CPR, First Aid

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a life-threatening condition that continues to plague individuals across the United States.

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NIH), SCA causes the heart to suddenly and unexpectedly stop beating. When this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other essential organs throughout the body. Thus, SCA can be dangerous if it goes unaddressed for more than a few minutes.

The American Heart Association (AHA) notes that out-of-hospital cardiac arrest affects more than 350,000 people annually. Also, the AHA points out that about 46 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims fail to receive immediate help before advanced medical personnel arrives on the scene.

Even a few minutes can make a major difference for an SCA victim. In fact, the AHA states that performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the first few minutes after an individual suffers SCA can dramatically increase this victim’s chances of survival.

To perform CPR on an SCA victim, the AHA recommends completing chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 beats per minute. The AHA also suggests matching the beat of the popular disco hit “Stayin’ Alive” to administer chest compressions at the optimal rate.

SCA may occur without notice, but a CPR-certified individual will possess the skills, know-how, and confidence needed to assist an SCA victim quickly and effectively.

Today, CPR training is available that enables an individual to find out how he or she can aid an SCA victim. This training usually can be completed in just a few hours and allows a person to become CPR-certified without delay. Plus, the training may be taught by emergency medical technicians (EMTs), firefighters and other healthcare and medical personnel, ensuring that each student can receive comprehensive CPR insights.

SureFire CPR has been a leading provider of CPR certification classes for several years. We empower our students with the skills that they need to administer life-saving support in all types of emergencies.

Start building your CPR skill set today! To find out more about our CPR certification classes, please contact us today at (888) 277-3143.

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About the author

I spent 15 years as a firefighter and paramedic...

And too often I would arrive on the scene of someone unconscious, surrounded by a circle of people feeling helpless. Sometimes those people would even have CPR training but lacked the confidence and experience to act.

That’s why I started SureFire CPR. Our classes are practical and engaging – teaching you the crucial skills you need to know what to do and feel empowered to take action.