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CLEVELAND - Its National CPR and AED Awareness Week.

If you dont know how to do CPR, now is a good time to learn.

According to the Red Cross, immediate CPR can double or triple chances of survival after a cardiac arrest.

The big thing with having a sudden cardiac arrest is it can come from drowning or just the electrical system of the heart not working, said Steven Brooks, MD, emergency medicine physician for Cleveland Clinic. And the faster you can get the blood flowing in the body to the vital organs, the better outcome youre going to have.

Dr. Books said CPR should be performed in situations where a person isnt breathing or doesnt have a pulse.

Before you get started, make sure to call 9-1-1.

Chest compressions should then be done 100 to 120 times a minute.

Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is no longer recommended.

Dr. Brooks said AEDs can also be helpful in an emergency.

For those unfamiliar, these devices are often available in public places.

They work by analyzing the persons heart rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock.

The instructions are right inside. Once you open up the AED, it shows you exactly where to place the pads and hit the button that says analyze, said Dr. Brooks. It will direct you to do everything. That is one of the best ways to help revive somebody that has suddencardiac arrest outside of doing just your basic CPR.It's the next step in the chain of survival.

Dr. Brooks also recommends learning how to do the Heimlich maneuver in the event someone is choking.

If their airway remains blocked for too long, they could ultimately need CPR.

All of these skills are very important to know.

Link:

Importance of Knowing How to do CPR - Cleveland Clinic Newsroom