Why Learn?

• Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death. 
• Cardiac arrest is an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). It disrupts the flow of blood to the brain, lungs, and other organs. 
• The American Heart Association says that 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the U.S.
• When a person has a cardiac arrest, survival depends on immediately getting CPR from someone nearby. 
• Almost 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. 
• CPR, especially if performed in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.
• YOU can be the difference for someone you love. If you are called on to give CPR in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you love: a child, a spouse, a parent or a friend. 70 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes. Unfortunately, only about 46% of people who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest get the immediate help that they need before professional help arrives.

• During CPR, you should push on the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. 
• The beat of Stayin' Alive is a perfect match for this. 
• Click the name of the song  for the music video.
• If you want to see for yourself how Stayin' Alive helps your rhythm, click here for our CPR Video, which uses this music.

• Safe practices at work, home, and play can prevent many injuries, illnesses, and deaths. 
• Once injury or sudden illness has occurred, effective first aid can be the difference between a rapid or prolonged recovery, a temporary or permanent disability, and even life or death.   

AT WORK

• The American Health and Safety Institute (ASHI) says that injuries and illnesses kill about 2.2 million people in the world each year. 
• On average, 15 workers die each day in the U.S. from traumatic injuries. More than 4 million workers suffer a nonfatal injury or illness each year. 
• With training, self-help improves at work. Employers reduce workman's compensation claims.

AT HOME

• ASHI states that injury is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for individuals younger than 44 years of age. 
• In the U.S. about 1/3 of all injuries occur at home.
• In the U.S. about 20% of injury deaths occur at home.
• For every home injury death, there are about 650 nonfatal home injuries.