SACRAMENTO, CA - Cardiac arrests can happen to anyone at anytime, 80 percent of which occur at home according to the American Heart Association. Unfortunately, most Americans don't know how to help someone having a cardiac emergency.
According to Sacramento Metro Fire Battalion Chief Scott Clough, almost anyone can learn how to administer CPR and it's a simple, proven exercise that saves lives. For adults in need of CPR, the AHA recommends a hands only technique, with fast and hard compressions in the center of the chest. But, before any aid is given to a victim, call 911 and the perform CPR until help arrives.
Clough said don't be afraid to push down hard on the chest.
"You need to press pretty hard to get the heart to start pumping that blood. If you feel the ribs crack, that's normal, don't be afraid of that," Clough said.
If a child falls unconscious, the AHA recommends a different CPR technique. Ric Maloney, a Registered Nurse, trains Sacramento Metro Firefighters how to administer CPR.
"Children generally go into cardiac arrest due to respiratory issues such as a water accident or possibly choking," Maloney said.
This means mouth-to-mouth breathing and chest compressions are generally used in child CPR.
News10/KXTV