CPR is one of the oldest medical practices in the developed world. For the general populace, CPR is also one of the best-known medical practices. However, there are many general and obscure facts about CPR that most Americans are unaware of. The more you know about CPR, the more you’ll be inspired to finally become CPR certified in 2023. To help educate you on the topic, here are six lesser-known facts about CPR that everyone should know about:
1. It’s Constantly Evolving
Since its beginnings, CPR has been constantly evolving. There are multiple ways to approach giving CPR, and the size, age, and health of the person you’re giving CPR to will affect the way you go about the process. By getting CPR certified by a pro service, like protrainings.com, you can ensure you’ll be ready to perform CPR the right, and most current way, when a life-and-death situation arises. The more prepared you are for the moment, the more effectively you’ll act.
2. It Prevents Brain Death
Brain death is one of the most concerning and life-altering complications that can arise from cardiac arrest and other breathing issues. For this reason, CPR is needed to help combat brain death from occurring during a breathing attack. As you wait for EMS to arrive, the oxygen your CPR gives to the victim’s bloodstream helps to prevent brain death, after all. The more vigilant you are about starting CPR ASAP, the more likely you’ll be to prevent brain death in the person you’re administering CPR to.
3. It Dates Back to the 1740s
As with most civilian medical knowledge, there are a lot of false assumptions surrounding CPR’s history. Many people assume that the practice of CPR began fairly recently, with many assuming that it was kickstarted in the public consciousness around the 1950s. In reality, the practice goes back way further in medical history (both in America and worldwide). According to researchers at the Paris Academy of Sciences, CPR, and mouth-to-mouth emergency medical practices date all the way back to 1740. Next time you think that CPR is “too new” to give a shot, remember this fact. It will help inspire you to take the jump, and finally learn how to perform CPR properly.
4. Less than a third of Americans Know CPR
Unfortunately, many Americans falsely assume that most people know how to perform CPR. Not only is this untrue, but the reality of CPR statistics is not in a great state. Currently, many studies show that less than a third of Americans know CPR. When looking at statistics for those that are fully and officially licensed to do CPR, the statistics become even more dour (with around three percent of the population being represented). Due to these low numbers, it’s critical that as many people as humanly possible become CPR-certified over the coming decades. The more people (and even animals) we have on the ground to provide or help with medical issues, the healthier the US population will become, after all.
5. It’s for All Ages
Despite the incorrect assumptions of the general populace, Americans of almost any age can perform CPR effectively. Currently, many CPR certification courses are offered to Americans as young as nine-years-old. For this reason, many school systems (that can afford to do so) are investing in CPR classes for their student bodies. This practice helps to keep the whole school safer and builds a sense of community that’s invaluable. Additionally, CPR can be performed on people of any age. That being said, the way you do CPR will differ depending on the size and age of the person you’re performing CPR on. Being properly certified in CPR will help you make these crucial, potentially life-saving decisions.
6. It’s Useful at Home and at Work
CPR is useful in a massive variety of situations (both at work and at home). If you’re looking to get a leg up in the hiring environment, knowing CPR can make you much more hireable, in fact. Because employers are always looking for assets that will help keep their insurance costs down, learning CPR can prove to be a godsend for those looking to land their dream jobs. When you’re around the house, your ability to do CPR could help you save a loved one. After all, more than 80% of cardiac arrests and breathing-impairment episodes happen at home. The more prepared you are to step in and help prevent brain death and other complications, as you wait for EMS to arrive, the better your loved one’s chances are of surviving the episode.