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Emergency careCardiac arrest Cardiac arrest (or sudden cardiac arrest, sudden cardiac death) is a medical emergency. When a person stops breathing and the heart stops beating, that person is experiencing cardiac arrest. (It is not a heart attack, which occurs when the blood supply to the heart is slowed or stopped because of a blockage.) Learn more about cardiac arrest. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure involving chest compressions (pressing down on the chest) and artificial respiration (rescue breathing). It has the power to restore blood flow to someone suffering cardiac arrest, keeping them alive until an ambulance arrives. Why get trained?Once the heart stops pumping, seconds count. For every minute that passes without help, a person's chance of surviving drops by about 10 per cent. But if you know how to respond to a cardiac arrest, a person's odds of survival and recovery may increase by 30 per cent or more. Learning CPR is easy and inexpensive – just a few hours could make an important difference in someone's life. Find out about the different kinds of CPR courses available. Since most cardiac arrests happen at home, you could be saving the life of a family member or friend. Find out about CPR training in your area. Or if you'd like to learn CPR at home, learn more about the Heart& Stroke CPR Anytime™ Family & Friends™ Personal Learning Program kit. Automated External Defibrillator (AED)You don't have to be a doctor to save a life. New Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) make it possible for even non-medical personnel to restore heart rhythm and life. An AED is a machine that can monitor heart rhythms. It can tell if the heart has stopped beating effectively. If required, the machine can then deliver an electric shock to the heart. Most of the time, this shock will restart the heart. What is HSFCs role in CPR Science?The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada sets the Canadian Guidelines for CPR, defibrillation and other aspects of emergency cardiovascular care in Canada. HSFC is a founding member of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). ILCOR is the international body that reviews emerging resuscitation research and summarizes the latest findings, giving direction on guideline changes when new scientific evidence emerges. HSFC, in collaboration with the American Heart Association, uses ILCOR's information to continuously update guidelines for North America. The 2005 Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care are the most current guidelines, which are the foundation for all HSFC CPR courses in Canada. All HSFC courses incorporate the latest evidence in resuscitation science and training. All CPR training agencies in Canada should refer to these guidelines when developing their own training programs. AED |
