UC: Few Know CPR, Fewer Use It in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI --

Statistics cited by the University of Cincinnati indicate that the usage of CPR by bystanders in Cincinnati is less than half the national average.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency medical procedure used for victims experiencing cardiac arrest. Traditionally, it combines the use of artificial blood circulation with chest compressions and lung ventilation.

In 2008, the American Heart Association and the European Resuscitation Council endorsed the idea of doing only chest compressions on adults.

“Early CPR or defibrillation are the only two intervention tactics that have demonstrated an increased survival rate for cardiac arrest cases occurring outside of the hospital,” Dr. Imran Arif said in a news release.

Doctors said that both the number of people trained to administer CPR and those who administer the procedure to someone in need are somewhat low nationally, but in Cincinnati, it's much worse.

“For the calendar year 2008, the rate of bystander CPR nationally was 25.3 percent,” Dr. Donald Locasto said. “In Cincinnati, it was 11.5 percent. These low rates demonstrate a lack of CPR training and/or willingness of the public to step in."

Other studies have shown that bystander CPR is performed correctly only about half of the time.

“It is a shame because more lives would be saved if a greater portion of our public were trained in and provided CPR,” Locasto said.

Locasto added that that there should be more automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, available for public use in emergency situations.

“If someone is experiencing cardiac arrest, alert emergency medical services and begin CPR immediately,” Arif said. “CPR can keep oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs until a defibrillator becomes available or trained professionals arrive on the scene.

“When the heart stops, the absence of oxygenated blood can cause irreparable brain damage in only a few minutes," he said. "Death will occur within eight to 10 minutes. Time is critical.”

Warning signs of cardiac arrest include:

Training can be obtained from several agencies, including the American Red Cross.