CPR / AED

In one year alone, 475,000 Americans died from cardiac arrest. Globally, cardiac arrest claims more lives than colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, influenza, pneumonia, auto accidents, HIV, firearms, and house fires combined.

Fortunately, bystander CPR improves chances for survival and by learning about CPR and AEDs, you can save a life! If performed immediately, CPR can double or triple the chance of survival from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Arvada Fire does not offer certified CPR classes.  We recommend that you contact the Red Cross or the American Heart Association for your certification needs. However, at public events and other special events, Arvada Fire frequently teaches "hands-only" CPR.  This life-saving technique can be learned in just five minutes but does not meet certification requirements.

CPR:

When a person has a cardiac arrest, survival depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby. Hands-Only CPR has been shown to be as effective in the first few minutes as conventional CPR for cardiac arrest at home, at work, or in public.

Hands-Only CPR has just two easy steps, performed in this order:

• Call 911 if you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse. The dispatcher can assist you and provide instructions while also sending help to your location.
• Push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of a familiar song, like “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees or “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé,  which has 100 to 120 beats per minute.

AED:

Sudden cardiac arrest is among the leading causes of death in the United States. Currently, the only way to restore a regular heart rhythm during cardiac arrest is to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Of course, you can – and should – request the assistance of trained medical professionals. However, the average response time for first responders once 911 is called is 8-12 minutes.

Additionally, for each minute defibrillation is delayed, the odds of survival are reduced by approximately 10%. That's why having access to an AED and knowing how to follow its instructions are critical.

Most AEDs have easy-to-follow audio and visual instructions to walk you through each step, such as where to attach the pads or when to stay clear of the victim before a shock. Learn more about how to use an AED.