Priority Response CPR Training

Many people mistakenly believe performing CPR after a sudden cardiac arrest is enough until emergency services arrive on scene. Although CPR helps maintain blood flow to the brain and heart, defibrillation is the only definitive treatment for cardiac arrest and the sooner it begins, the better. Familiarize yourself with facts about sudden cardiac arrest and possible survival:

The American Heart Association (AHA) estimates that more than 450,000 people suffer sudden cardiac arrest every year.

The AHA recommends defibrillation within five minutes of collapse, as early defibrillation provides the best possibility of survival for the victim.

A study of public access defibrillation (PAD) programs showed that communities with volunteers trained in CPR and the use of AEDs had twice as many victims survive compared to communities with volunteers trained only in CPR.

The average response time for EMS arrival is eight to 10 minutes.4 The chance of survival for a victim decreases for each minute that passes after a sudden cardiac attack by as much as 10 percent.5 Using a nearby AED with responders trained in recognizing sudden cardiac arrest, calling 911 and performing CPR is the best assurance that a colleague or workplace visitor experiencing cardiac arrest will receive prompt treatment.