When someone’s heart stops working, it is known as sudden cardiac arrest. It causes blood to stop flowing to the brain and other organs. Sudden cardiac arrest can cause a person to die within minutes. In some cases, an automated external defibrillator (AED) may save a person’s life.
Why learn to use an AED?
Sudden cardiac arrest is among the leading causes of death in the United States. In fact, more than 350,000 people will suffer a cardiac arrest this year. Currently, the only way to restore a regular heart rhythm during cardiac arrest is to use an AED.
Stop the Bleed Kit
To prevent such unnecessary deaths, the ǿմý Department of Resiliency and ǿմý EMS are working together to help the community “Stop the Bleed.” A campaign launched by the federal government, Stop the Bleed empowers bystanders to provide aid in the event of an emergency, similar to initiatives to train individuals to perform CPR and first aid. The campaign instructs individuals on how to apply a tourniquet and pack wounds to control bleeding. Through these methods, bystanders can give a victim crucial time.
These public access kits, which have enough supplies to save one or two lives each, have been co-located with AED kits across campus and placed in ǿմý police and mobile security vehicles.
To participate in an upcoming Stop the Bleed, CPR, AED, and first aid training opportunities with ǿմý EMS, email cwruems-exops@case.edu.