Chest Discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

Discomfort in other areas of the body: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

Shortness of breath: with or without discomfort.

Other Signs: may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Source: American Heart Association

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Answer: Just like you can hold your breath for a minute or two without having brain damage, victims of cardiac arrest can go a minute or two (actually a lot longer than that) without taking a breath. What cardiac arrest victims really need is for that blood to get flowing again.
When rescuers are worried about opening the airway and making an adequate seal, plus the “ick” factor and possibly digging a CPR mask out of a purse or briefcase, the delay can be significant. All that extra time is getting in the way of real help: Chest compressions.

In its summary of the changes, the American Heart Association explained it this way:

In the A-B-C sequence chest compressions are often delayed while the responder opens the airway to give mouth-to-mouth breaths or retrieves a barrier device or other ventilation equipment. By changing the sequence to C-A-B, chest compressions will be initiated sooner and ventilation only minimally delayed until completion of the first cycle of chest compressions (30 compressions should be accomplished in approximately 18 seconds).

So as you can see, by starting chest compressions first, the victim only has to hold his breath an extra 18 seconds while blood gets flowing again. In my opinion, that’s a good trade.

Source:

Field JM, Hazinski MF, Sayre MR, Chameides L, Schexnayder SM, Hemphill R, Samson RA, Kattwinkel J, Berg RA, Bhanji F, Cave DM, Jauch EC, Kudenchuk PJ, Neumar RW, Peberdy MA, Perlman JM, Sinz E, Travers AH, Berg MD, Billi JE, Eigel B, Hickey RW, Kleinman ME, Link MS, Morrison LJ, O�Connor RE, Shuster M, Callaway CW, Cucchiara B, Ferguson JD, Rea TD, Vanden Hoek TL. “Part 1: executive summary: 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.”

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Sudden Cardiac Arrest

• EMS treats about 300,000 victims of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year in the U.S.
•  Less than eight percent of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital survive.
• Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time. Many victims appear healthy with no known heart disease or other risk factors.
•  Sudden cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when electrical impulses in the heart become rapid or chaotic, which causes the heart to suddenly stop beating. A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is blocked. A heart attack may cause cardiac arrest.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

• Less than one-third of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest victims receive bystander CPR.
• Effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival.
• The American Heart Association trains more than 12 million people in CPR annually, including healthcare professionals and the general public.
• The most effective rate for chest compressions is greater than 100 compressions per minute – the same rhythm as the beat of the BeeGee’s song, “Stayin’ Alive.”

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

•  Unless CPR and defibrillation are provided within minutes of collapse, few attempts at resuscitation are successful.
• Even if CPR is performed, defibrillation with an AED is required to stop the abnormal rhythm and restore a normal heart rhythm.
•  New technology has made AEDs simple and user-friendly. Clear audio and visual cues tell users what to do when using an AED and coach people through CPR. A shock is delivered only if the victim needs it.
• AEDs are now widely available in public places such as schools, airports and workplaces.

Teens/Youth

• About 5,900 children 18 years old and under suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year from all causes – including trauma, cardiovascular causes and sudden infant death syndrome.
• The incidence of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest in high school athletes ranges from .28 to 1 death per 100,000 high school athletes annually in the U.S.
•  The American Heart Association does not have a minimum age requirement for people to learn CPR. The ability to perform CPR is based more on body strength rather than age.
• Studies have shown that children as young as 9 years old can learn and retain CPR skills.

American Heart Association

• Pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrests (IHCA) are not rare.
• Pediatric obesity is a growing epidemic.
• There is a negative impact on survival following IHCA for the obese pediatric patient.

Supporting Materials

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/125/3/e481.abstract

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•  Up to the age of 2 years a child should be in a rear facing car safety seat.
• For most children through 4 years of age a forward car safety seat are preferred.
•  Up to the age of 8 years a belt positioning is booster seat is necessary and lap/shoulder seatbelts for all that have out grown booster seats.
• Any child younger than the age of 13 should ride in the rear seat of any vehicle.

Currently, MA law still states all children need to be in an age and height appropriate car seat until age 8 and under 57 inches. However, being prepared is half the battle in preventing all injuries.

To learn more go to The American Academy of Pediatrics at WWW.AAP.ORG

Your Friends at CPRBoston

•  Up to the age of 2 years a child should be in a rear facing car safety seat.
• For most children through 4 years of age a forward car safety seat are preferred.
•  Up to the age of 8 years a belt positioning is booster seat is necessary and lap/shoulder seatbelts for all that have out grown booster seats.
• Any child younger than the age of 13 should ride in the rear seat of any vehicle.

Currently, MA law still states all children need to be in an age and height appropriate car seat until age 8 and under 57 inches. However, being prepared is half the battle in preventing all injuries.

To learn more go to The American Academy of Pediatrics at WWW.AAP.ORG

Your Friends at CPRBoston

BLS CPR Healthcare Provider  
CPRBOSTON offers special group rates for your company, agency, or community organization for the BLS Healthcare CPR :

• The fee for each BLS CPR Healthcare provider program is $400.00 for up to 20 participants
• There is a low fee of only $20.00 for each additional participant
• There is no limit to the number of participants in any one course. We can provide extra instructors and training equipment for large groups
• You may book multiple sessions
• We can also host your group(s) at Carney Hospital
• We will schedule programs at your convenience, seven days a week, days or evenings
• We can tailor all programs to meet your specific needs

To discuss scheduling options, please call us
at (617) 298-0699.

ACLS Provider
CPRBOSTON offers special group rates for your healthcare agency for the ACLS Provider program:

• The fee for each ACLS Provider program is $1500.00 up to 10 participants
• There is a low fee of only $150.00 for each additional participant
• There is no limit to the number of participants in any one course. We can provide extra instructors and training equipment for large groups
• You may book multiple sessions
• We can also host your group(s) at Carney Hospital
• We will schedule programs at your convenience, seven days a week, days or evenings
• We can tailor all programs to meet your specific needs

To discuss scheduling options, please call us
at (617) 298-0699.
 

BLS CPR Instructor
CPRBOSTON offers special group rates for your company, agency, or community organization for the BLS Healthcare CPR :

• The fee for each BLS CPR Healthcare provider program
  is $800.00 for up to 8  participants
• There is a low fee of only $100.00 for each additional participant
• There is no limit to the number of participants in any one course. We can provide extra instructors and training equipment for large groups
• You may book multiple sessions
• We can also host your group(s) at Carney Hospital
• We will schedule programs at your convenience, seven days a week, days or evenings
• We can tailor all programs to meet your specific needs

To discuss scheduling options, please call us
at (617) 298-0699.

Heart Saver First Aid Programs
CPRBOSTON offers special group rates for your company, agency, or community organization for the Heart saver First Aid Program:

• The fee for each Heart Saver First Aid program is $400.00 for up to 20 participants
• There is a low fee of only $20.00 for each additional participant
• There is no limit to the number of participants in any one course. We can provide extra instructors and training equipment for large groups
• You may book multiple sessions
• We can also host your group(s) at Carney Hospital
• We will schedule programs at your convenience, seven days a week, days or evenings
• We can tailor all programs to meet your specific needs

To discuss scheduling options, please call us
at (617) 298-0699.

American Heart Association Heart Saver First Aid Programs

The American Heart Association Heart Saver First Aid Programs are offered twice a month by CPRBOSTON at Carney Hospital, 2100 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester (Boston) Massachusetts, 02124.

Click here for a schedule or to register online.

CPRBOSTON at Carney Hospital First Aid Programs

Most Frequent and Affordable

Courses

 in Greater Boston

The CPRBOSTON First Aid courses:

• As a community benefit, provides all First Aid courses at a fee of only $30.00. This program is the lowest cost course in the greater Boston area
• Are American Heart Association certification good for two years
• One session program
• Are offered twice a month
• Is the First Aid course for daycare providers, first responders and all providers meeting requirements of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, all other interested community members
• Are never canceled
• Provide your First Aid certification card at the course
• Are approved by JCAHO, OSHA, and Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
• Allow you may register online (see below), walk-ins are welcome
• May transfer fee for missed programs to future dates
• Provide access for all interested
• Can be offered at your organization. (Click here for information)

The American Heart Association Heart Saver First Aid Course
is the full course and includes training in:

• Primary & Secondary Assessment of the victim and
  scene
• Assessment and management of medical emergencies
• Assessment and management of injury emergencies
• Assessment and management of environmental emergencies

Easily Accessible Boston First Aid Courses

All First Aid courses are held in the Riseman Lecture Hall located on the first floor of Carney Hospital. Carney Hospital is located at 2100 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA, 02124.

The hospital is located on the MBTA line and accessible from downtown Boston and all major highways. (see Mapquest below for assistance in directions).

CPRBOSTON offers top-quality, affordable, single session programs in the instruction of First Aid. Our instructors are
American Heart Association certified and are experienced critical care providers. Our program fees are the lowest in the Greater Boston area. We are mass transportation accessible and parking is free.

Click here for a schedule or to register online.

Mapquest

Contact us at dennis@cprboston.org

CPRBOSTON.ORG

Dennis Mahoney

Boston, MA, 02124

617-298-0699

Sign up now for the Heart Saver First Aid
Programs