Did you know that between 15,000 and 30,000 people die of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in Australia every year? The heart can stop beating for a variety of different reasons, but when it does, it’s up to those nearest to the affected person to spring into action. The chances for survival following an SCA drop significantly with every minute of delay between the cardiac arrest and treatment. In other words, by the time paramedics arrive on the scene, it is usually too late. Prompt performance of CPR and defibrillation can improve survival chances dramatically, but those emergency medical services typically need to be performed by bystanders for them to do any good.
For all these reasons, getting involved in first aid training is a secure investment. You never know when SCA is going to strike, or who it’s going to impact. It could happen to a stranger at the next table when you are out to eat, or it could happen to your spouse while you are sitting on the couch watching a movie. Regardless of the scenario, being able to perform CPR or defibrillation could help you save a life.