Teacher’s quick action saves student
An AED seems as necessary as a fire extinguisher if you ask me.
Wendy Swain
Teacher, AED and CPR advocate
Read Wendy's storyCardiac arrest
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What is cardiac arrest?
The heart suddenly stops beating.
- 8 in 10
- occur at home or in public places
- 1 in 10
- survive cardiac arrests that happen at home or public places
- 2x
- survival doubles with immediate action.
Signs of cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest happens suddenly. There are usually no warning signs.
-
Sudden collapse
-
Unresponsive to touch or sound
-
Not breathing or is making gasping sounds
When the heart stops beating, blood is not circulating. Brain death can begin in as little as three minutes.
Your immediate action can double the chance of surviving.
Your immediate action can double the chance of surviving.
How to save a life in 90 seconds
Do you have a couple of minutes? That's enough to learn the basics of CPR and how to use an AED. Watch our short videos below.
You are the person's best chance. Have the courage to act quickly.
Don’t wait for EMS to arrive – they may be several minutes away.
Don’t wait for someone else to step in. Seconds matter. Start immediately.
Doing CPR – even if it is not perfect – gives the person their best chance.
Who is at risk?
Cardiac arrest can occur:
- at any age
- at any time
- to people of all fitness levels
- without warning.
Causes of cardiac arrest
Most cardiac arrests are caused by arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) that may not be diagnosed ahead of time. Other causes include:
- Coronary heart disease
- Heart attack
- Congenital heart disease
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Electrocution, drowning, choking, trauma, respiratory distress
-
Recreational drug use
The difference between cardiac arrest and a heart attack
Cardiac arrest and heart attack are not the same thing, although people often confuse the terms. Both are medical emergencies.
What is it?
Cardiac arrest
The heart has stopped pumping
Caused by an abnormal heart rhythm
The heart cannot pump blood to the rest of the body
It is a medical emergency
Death occurs in minutes without immediate action.
Heart attack
The heart is not getting enough blood so it starts to die
Caused be a blockage of blood flow to the heart
The heart is continues to pump blood
It is a medical emergency
Damage to the heart increases with every minute of treatment delay.
What does it look like?
Cardiac arrest
Sudden collapse
Unresponsive to touch or sound
Not breathing or making gasping sounds.
Heart attack
Person is generally conscious.
Signs include:
Chest or upper body discomfort, sweating
nausea, shortness of breath, and light-headedness.
What to do?
Cardiac arrest
Call 9-1-1 and shout for a defibrillator
Start CPR
Use a defibrillator as soon as it arrives
Don't hesitate. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
Heart attack
Call 9-1-1
Stop all activity. Sit or lie down
Take your nitroglycerin
Chew ASA (Aspirin) (one 325 mg or two 81 mg tablets).
Rest and wait.