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Congressional Staffers Get Trained
Written by Mason Booth, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
May 1, 2003 — Working on Capitol Hill has never been easy, but on Thursday (April 24), it got a little safer when more than 100 Congressional staffers put their political differences aside and made the decision to get trained in critical lifesaving skills.
American Red Cross instructors demonstrated how to do CPR and other lifesaving skills.
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” Adults spend much of their time in the workplace, so many cardiac and respiratory emergencies occur there,” said Scott Connor, vice president of health and safety, youth and community services for the American Red Cross. “This training is indicative of the kinds of steps that can be taken to better prepare homes, communities and workplaces.”
Thursday’s training session grew out of an earlier presentation last month during which the American Red Cross outlined its Together We Prepare campaign for congressional employees.
Launched in February, the campaign consists of five integral components - make a plan, build a kit, get trained, volunteer and give blood.
“As we were going through each element, people realized they needed to do more to prepare in the event of an emergency,” said Connor. “Getting trained was where these participants decided to start.”
Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the American Red Cross has seen an increase in interest among residents to get prepared in the event of an emergency or disaster.
”I used to be trained a while back, but my certification has expired,” said Legislative Assistant Christopher Guilford from the office of Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH). “In light of recent events, I wanted to go ahead and renew my training, to make sure I was able to respond if an emergency did occur.”
Guilford isn’t the only one. Last year alone, more than 12 million people enrolled in Red Cross courses, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) a trend the organization hopes continues in their effort to better prepare homes, neighborhoods and communities.
Every Second Counts
CPR and AED training are key elements to the American Red Cross’ preparedness efforts for good reason. Following sudden cardiac arrest, the victim’s chances of survival decreases 10 percent every minute until defibrillation (an electrical shock to the heart) occurs.
”Even if a 9-1-1 responder arrives in 10 minutes, that could be too late,” said Connie Harvey, American Red Cross health and safety expert and lead instructor for Thursday’s training. “It’s vital that someone on the scene be able to provide assistance until the emergency responders arrive.”
Although they look difficult, voice prompts and display screens make AEDs easy to use.
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Every year, an estimated 250,000 Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest, meaning one death for every two minutes. Up to 50,000 of those lives, however, could have been saved if someone had initiated the Cardiac Chain of Survival and an automated external defibrillator (AED) had been available for immediate use at the time of the emergency.
The Cardiac Chain of Survival consists of four steps: early access to care (calling 911 or another emergency number), early CPR, early defibrillation and early advanced cardiac life support as needed.
The third step, delivering an electrical shock to the heart, is recognized as a critical step in restoring cardiac rhythm and resuscitating a victim. One of the easiest ways to do so in the immediate wake of cardiac arrest is through the use of an AED.
Although operating the lunch box-sized device sounds complicated, AEDs are easy to use. Voice prompts and display screens guide the user through the process to ensure effective operation as it analyzes the heart's rhythm for any abnormalities. If necessary, adhesive electrode pads deliver brief electrical stimulation to the chest, interrupting the abnormal heart rhythms and restoring normal function.
While step three can return heart rhythms to normal, the American Red Cross stresses that every step of the Cardiac Chain of Survival are essential.
“Before people can ever respond, they first must be able to recognize the problem,” said Harvey. “These steps are something that we hope one person in every household will be trained in. The great thing about workplace training is that people don’t leave behind these skills when business hours end. They bring them home with them, making their families and their communities safer.”
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All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross also supplies nearly half of the nation's lifesaving blood. This, too, is made possible by generous voluntary donations. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. You can make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. To donate blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or contact your local Red Cross to find out about upcoming blood drives.
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