CPR is a functional rescue technique that, when provided within a few minutes of a sudden cardiac arrest accident, significantly increases the survival chances of a victim. However, combining AED with CPR by medical staff is a common occurrence, and for a very good reason.
In this article, we will be discussing the powerful methods of CPR and AED, what makes them effective emergency care techniques, and much more.
If you want to learn more about CPR and AED classes in Boston or general information about this dynamic duo in emergency care – keep reading this article.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Cases in Boston, MA
Boston is a city known for its marathons and jogging. However, although running is one of the most recommended cardiac-friendly exercises, there are still cases of sudden cardiac arrests.
The Boston Marathon counts 3 sudden cardiac arrest accidents over its history that have occurred during the marathon. Unfortunately, 2 of them resulted in death, while the latest has been a near-death case.
Given the findings and reports, we can denote that sudden cardiac arrests can happen to any demographic, whether it be someone older, younger, or an athlete leading a healthy life. However, the most affected are the people with comorbidities. This was especially the case during the pandemic.
Back in 2020, according to a study, the people prone to sudden cardiac arrest during the pandemic were obese people, diabetic people, individuals older than 60 years, and people with asthma or other pulmonary diseases. These comorbidities appear to be common factors even post-pandemic.
The Importance of Using CPR and AED Combination in Emergency Situations
When a victim goes into sudden cardiac arrest, or SCA for short, the immediate treatment or rescue method you will see a doctor perform is CPR. In hospital conditions, AED is always included. CPR helps the heart get back in rhythm, but it may take a few cycles (note: one cycle includes 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths) and tire your arms. However, using AED will help the heart regain rhythm and continue pumping blood independently faster than with CPR only.
The reason CPR and AED combination is crucial is because time is of the essence in SCA cases. After the heart stops beating and pumping blood, the person will lose consciousness after 15 seconds. Within the first 60 seconds, the oxygen deprivation has already begun, and the person has about 4 minutes to receive help without significant health consequences.
Can Bystanders Use CPR and AED in Case of an Emergency?
Boston is a busy city. We have already mentioned that sudden cardiac arrests are common during marathons, but there are many other factors that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest.
For example, crowded spaces are potential risk factors, regardless of whether they are an outdoor or indoor area. Summer heat and dry air or autumn’s humidity and air pollution in Boston are other risk factors that severely affect people with comorbidities. Victims of sudden cardiac arrest cases are more common than usual during these seasons, and the question is who can intervene in case of an emergency.
Boston adopts the Good Samaritan Laws that protect the bystander from civil liabilities in case the victim’s situation worsens. These laws exist to encourage bystanders to take action and help victims of sudden cardiac arrest.
However, to protect a victim of sudden cardiac arrest, the bystander has to be fully aware of the situation and make conscious decisions. Additionally, crowded areas in Boston where most sudden cardiac arrest cases occur usually have an AED around. It’s best if, in case of a sudden cardiac arrest, the rescuer gets the device and starts with CPR or starts with CPR and gets someone to bring the AED device and call the EMS.
How to Use CPR and AED in Case of an Emergency
To use CPR and AED, the bystander has to be familiar with the basic principles of CPR and how it works. In other words, to help the victim independently, the rescuer has to have a CPR certification.
However, if there is no one around, and you can confirm that a person experienced a sudden cardiac arrest, you can help them even with zero knowledge of CPR. All you have to do is try the telecommunicator CPR method.
The Telecommunicator CPR method is a new, modern method of assistance during a case of sudden cardiac arrest where the bystander calls 911 and gets in touch with a medical person who will instruct them on what to do. The bystander needs to follow the instructions and provide the necessary help until the EMS arrives to take over the case.
Although this method seems to be encouraging for bystanders to intervene, the efficacy of implementation of telecommunicator CPR is very low. Bystanders who want to participate, help, and save the life of a sudden cardiac arrest victim should get a CPR certificate.
Certification in CPR is not only formal authority to perform CPR but also a confirmation that a person has practiced CPR on a manikin and is already familiar with crucial life-saving methods.
Learn BLS CPR in Boston
If you want to learn CPR and AED, Boston has a lot of providers at your disposal, and picking one can be difficult. However, knowing what to expect from the curriculum can help you navigate the different training centers and find the best provider for you.
Here are two factors to help you decide:
- Type of Class: Providers offer teaching CPR remotely, on-site, and hybrid. While remote may sound like the best option, it is not the most effective or best decision. Candidates learning in training centers have more interaction and practice on a manikin, which allows them to acquire the necessary rescue technique. In the meantime, they get feedback from a licensed instructor.
- Licensed Instructors: Before choosing a CPR class, providers always run a background check on your instructor. While they may have a CPR certification, they need to have a license for CPR instructors, which is a completely different type of license. If you are to take advice from someone, ensure it’s a credible source.
Types of CPR Classes
Before enrolling in any program, you need to consider the different types of CPR classes. Check the list below to see more about the types and recommendations:
- Adult CPR and AED: These classes are the standard and most popular options. They cover providing CPR to adults and proper ways to use an AED. Adult CPR and AED are recommended for all interested in providing CPR, including people who need CPR certificates for work.
- Pediatric CPR and AED: As the name implies, these classes cover providing CPR to children and infants and proper ways to use AED on children and infants. These are most recommended for people working with children but parents as well.
- First Aid, CPR, and AED: These classes cover adult CPR and AED but also include providing first aid in the curriculum. First Aid consists of learning how to deal with open wounds, how to help with choking, etc. This module is recommended for people working within the medical field but also for anyone interested in learning more about CPR.
You can pick the module that best suits you according to your needs.
What Makes CPR & AED a Dynamic Duo in Emergency Care Key Take Away
To prevent deaths from SCA, Boston authorities have installed AED devices in the areas where most sudden cardiac arrests occur.
Bystanders are encouraged to use the AED devices even if they are untrained. Public-access AEDs are simple to use and can instruct you on what to do next, which means you’ll receive step-by-step guidance.
Supporting CPR with AED increases the chances of survival – you can help an unknown victim this way without a license. It is the best practice in emergency care and what any of us should be able to do in case of an SCA accident.
However, if you want to be sure of your first aid skills, we suggest enrolling in a CPR course. These courses come in different formats, and you can choose one that best suits your needs.