November is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) month and BC Ambulance Service paramedics are encouraging British Columbians to learn CPR. Knowing what to do in the event of a heart attack or cardiac arrest, and having the skills to perform CPR, can greatly increase the chance of saving a life. The BC Ambulance Service attends approximately 3,000 cardiac arrest calls each year.

A cardiac arrest victim is four times more likely to survive if they receive bystander CPR, however this basic procedure is not performed in approximately 85 per cent of all cardiac arrest cases. With most out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring at home, early recognition of a cardiac emergency by a family member, early access to medical help (calling 911) and early citizen CPR are critical to saving lives.

BC AMBULANCE SERVICE ADVICE

* LEARN CPR - It's important to learn CPR or take a refresher course in order to be equipped with the skills to save a life. With most cardiac arrests occurring in the home, it could be a friend or family member that needs your help.

* EARLY WARNING SIGNS - Common warning signs of a heart attack include: mild or severe pain in the chest which may spread to the neck, jaw, shoulders, arms and back; shortness of breath; paleness, sweating or weakness; nausea, vomiting, and/or indigestion; fear, anxiety and denial. Symptoms vary from person to person.

* CALL 911 - If you suspect someone is having a heart attack, call 911. Early dispatch of paramedics and trained first responders will increase the patient's chance of survival.

* BE PREPARED - Be prepared to answer questions from the BC Ambulance Service dispatcher about your location (city, street, building number) and the patient's condition (conscious/unconscious, breathing/not breathing).

* STAY ON THE LINE - It is important not to hang up as BC Ambulance Service dispatchers are experienced "question askers" and their questions are based on a need to provide accurate and specific information to the attending emergency responders. BC Ambulance Service dispatchers can also provide CPR instruction over the phone.

* START CPR - If the patient is not breathing and has no pulse, CPR must be started immediately. CPR provides oxygenated blood through the vital organs including the brain and heart. A cardiac arrest victim is four times more likely to survive if they receive bystander CPR.

You do not have to be a doctor, nurse or paramedic to save a life. Knowing how to perform CPR will give you the skills to help someone in cardiac arrest survive until paramedics or first responders arrive. Just knowing what to do in an emergency until paramedics arrive goes a long way in helping a person survive. For every minute that passes without help, a person's chance of surviving a cardiac arrest drops by about 10 per cent.

In 2006/07, the BCAS has awarded approximately 30 "Vital Link Awards" to members of the public who have performed CPR and ultimately helped save a life. The vital link awards are designed to acknowledge and recognise those British Columbians that have performed the first and most vital link in the chain of survival. It is hoped that by promoting those examples where CPR has been successfully used to save a life, more people will be encouraged and motivated to learn the life saving skills of CPR.

November is CPR month. Learn CPR today.

For more information on courses in your area contact your local Red Cross or St.
John Ambulance office or phone the Heart&Stroke InfoLine at 1-888-HSF-INFO (1-
888-473-4636) or visit www.heartandstroke.ca.