Confidence Lacking in Performing CPR

[June 2008] While 89 percent of Americans say they are willing and able to help if they witness a medical emergency, only 21 percent are confident they could perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and only 15 percent believe they can use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

The American Heart Association (AHA) online survey of more than 1,100 adults was released as part of the first National CPR/AED Awareness Week, from June 1-7. The week is meant to encourage people to get CPR training and to learn how to use an AED to reduce death and disability from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

AEDs are designed to be simple and intuitive, and they are available in many public places such as schools, airports, and workplaces. They 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.

Immediate CPR Improves Survival Odds

Only about 6 percent of out-of-hospital SCA victims survive, the AHA says. Without immediate, effective CPR, the odds of surviving out-of-hospital SCA decrease by 7 percent to 10 percent per minute. Even if a victim receives CPR, defibrillation with an AED is needed to restore normal heart rhythm.

"We think it's critical for people to get CPR training and learn how to use an AED. 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," says Dr. Lance Becker, a professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and AHA spokesman.

"There's no reason for people to be afraid to act. 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," Dr. Becker says.

More Training, Confidence Needed

Among the other findings from the survey:

• More than half of the respondents did not recognize an AED in a typical setting.
• Lack of confidence, concern about legal consequences, and fear of hurting a victim are reasons why people would not take action in a cardiac emergency.
• Sixty-five percent of respondents said they had received CPR training, but only 18 percent said they had received AED training.
• Two-thirds of those trained in using CPR and AEDs were required to do so for their jobs, school, or the military.
• The majority of respondents (88 percent) said they support requiring schools to have emergency plans, and 65 percent want public places to have AEDS on site.

Survivor Grateful

Each year, about 310,000 coronary heart disease deaths occur out-of-hospital or in emergency departments in the US. Of those deaths, about 166,200 are due to SCA - nearly 450 per day.

In addition, SCA can happen to anyone at any time. Many victims appear healthy with no known heart disease or other risk factors.

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 says. “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.”

Always consult your physician for more information.