The survival rate for individuals who experience a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) outside of a hospital is a mere five percent. Time is crucial. http://scrubbing.in/use-aed-help-save-life/
During October, Baylor SportsCare will offer free demonstrations on how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) at several local high school football games. The locations include:
- Oct. 4, Grapevine High School/ Colleyville Heritage High School at Mustang-Panther Stadium, Grapevine
- Oct. 4, Newman Smith Trojans/Creekview Mustangs at Standridge Stadium, Carrollton
- Oct. 18, McKinney Boyd High School/ Plano High School at Ron Poe Stadium, McKinney
- Oct. 25, Castleberry High School/ Kennedale High School, Kennedale
- Oct. 25 Nolan Catholic High School/Trinity Christian football game, Fort Worth
These easy-to-use devices give audible instructions, usually in 3 steps. If an AED is used within the first two minutes after person experiences sudden cardiac arrest, the person’s chances of survival go up more than 30 percent. Chances of survival drop by 10 percent for every minute that passes without someone performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or using AED.
The Heart Rhythm Society advises the following actions in response to a potential SCA emergency:
- Know the signs of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in order to react quickly. Sudden cardiac arrest strikes immediately and without warning. Victims will fall to the ground/collapse, become unresponsive, and will not breathe normally, if at all.
- Call 911 as soon as possible.
- Start CPR as quickly as possible. Bystanders should provide high-quality chest compressions by pushing hard and fast (approximately 100 beats per minute) in the middle of the victim’s chest, with minimal interruptions.
- Use an AED if one is available on site.
Symptoms of SCA can include: sudden collapse and unconsciousness, with no pulse or breathing. Fatigue, shortness of breath, fainting, dizziness, heart palpitations and vomiting may occur before the onset of SCA. AEDs are increasingly available in public locations, such as office buildings, airports, gyms and libraries.
SCA Awareness Month represents a critical initiative by the Heart Rhythm Society to raise awareness and help the public become more familiar with what it is, how it affects people, and what can be done to help save lives.
Contact:
Susan Hall
susanh@baylorhealth.edu
214-820-1817
About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com
