More than two-thirds of heart attacks happen when the victim is not in a hospital or clinic. Up to 45 percent of those people could be saved if someone starts CPR immediately. The Hi-Desert Medical Center held a class Monday to give residents a basic introduction to performing CPR on victims until paramedics show up. Managing editor Tami Roleff was there and passes along these tips on what to do if someone has a heart attack…
Mazurah Smith-Ransaw, a registered nurse at Hi-Desert Medical Center, said the first thing to do is call 911 and then start CPR. The new protocol is to perform only chest compressions without giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Smith-Ransaw said many bystanders are afraid to start CPR because they don’t know what to do or are afraid of hurting the victim.
“So why wait? The victim is dead, mostly dead. You can’t hurt them; they’re dead. Nothing you can do can hurt them at that point, so why not try to help them? There’s nothing you’re gonna do that’s going to make them any deader, I promise you.”
Attendees were given mannequins on which to practice. The hands are placed in the center of the victim’s chest and the chest is compressed about two inches. Chest compressions must be administered hard and fast—about 100 to 120 compressions per minute—until help arrives, or you can’t do it any longer. (Attendees were told to do the chest compressions to the beats of the Bee Gees song “Staying Alive.”)
Attendees were also given a crash course in hiking in isolated locations by John Evans with the National Park Service. Evans said that the last three deaths in Joshua Tree National Park were people who went hiking alone or unprepared. He urged residents to hike with a buddy, have a plan of where they were going, how long they’d be out, where they were going to end up, and to tell someone their plan. Hikers should also bring necessary supplies with them, to include a gallon of water per day; a hat and sunscreen; headlamp; salty snacks; a first aid kit, to include duct tape and a mirror; a compass and whistle; a tarp or shelter; matches; and wear layered clothing. He also reminded residents not to hike in the heat of the day during the summer.
