The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Do you know what to do if your loved ones heart stops? Of course you’d call 911, but what will you do while you wait? If CPR is started within one minute of a person becoming unresponsive, they have a 90% chance of survival. Those are pretty good odds, but survival rates dwindle quickly. Their chances decrease by 10% for every minute that the heart is not beating. Living in rural Montana means you can drive from one side of town to the other in just a couple of minutes, however, it also means that help may be hours away. Especially on rural roads or winter conditions. While most people know what to do in a fire, knowing what to do when a loved one becomes unresponsive is less common knowledge. That is why, in 2007, the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, and the National Safety Council worked together to create what is now known as National CPR Week. In the first week of June, CPR is highlighted and people from all walks of life are encouraged to learn how to perform this life saving maneuver.

It is estimated that 70% of cardiac arrests happen in the home. So it is very likely that you will be the one waiting with your spouse, parent, sibling, friend, or even child if their heart were to stop. The first step is to get help on the way. Call 911 and let the ambulance crew get headed your direction. Then you take action. Anyone can perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). While receiving formal training through an in person class is ideal, knowing how to perform compression only CPR can be taught here in this article. That is right, you can perform only chest compressions and that would be enough to help save a life. Here’s why: compressions pump the blood to the organs when the heart cannot. Keeping blood to the brain, heart, and other vital organs is what keeps them alive. Oxygen provided in breaths is beneficial, but not necessary for survival.

This may be different than anything you’ve heard about CPR in the past. This change was made several years ago after much research and deliberation. The American Heart Association is constantly doing research to help improve the techniques and teachings of CPR to improve survival rates. Every 5 years they release new teachings with that updated research. Therefore you are encouraged to retake a CPR class every 2 to 5 years. About 15 years ago, the teaching for hands only CPR was introduced.

Here’s the gist of it: place your hands on the lower half of the breastbone and push hard and fast. It is that simple. Compressions should be at a rate of 100-120 per minute. Compressing at a rate that is on beat with the Bee Gees song, “Staying Alive” or even the “Imperial March” from Star Wars would be the right rate. Going too fast could hinder your efforts the same as going too slow, so sing a song in your head and keep up the good work until other help arrives

While we’d all love to think we will never need this knowledge, using your hands could truly make all the difference in saving the life of a loved one.

If you’re interested in a hands on class to learn how to perform CPR, please call Jessica, the BSMC Education Coordinator, at 406.378.3917. `