Sudden cardiac arrest in children is often preventable! Be prepared for a cardiac emergency, recognize SCA when it occurs, and take immediate action.
Online, June 3, 2015 (Newswire.com) - During National CPR and AED Awareness Week June 1-7, 2015,Parent Heart Watch (PHW), the national voice solely dedicated to protecting youth from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and preventable sudden cardiac death (SCD), wants parents and communities to know that sudden cardiac arrest in youth is not so rare, and can often be prevented by being prepared in case of a cardiac emergency.
"For many young people who suffer sudden cardiac arrest, death is often the first symptom," said PHW Executive Director Michele Snyder. "If communities were prepared with a written and well-practiced cardiac emergency response plan, could recognize SCA when it occurs, and begin the cardiac chain of survival immediately, many lives would be saved."
If communities were prepared with a written and well-practiced cardiac emergency response plan, could recognize SCA when it occurs, and begin the cardiac chain of survival immediately, many lives would be saved.
Parent Heart Watch stresses that SCA victims will be collapsed and unresponsive, but may also be making gasping or gurgling sounds, or look like they are having a seizure. In all of these cases, the collapse should be treated as sudden cardiac arrest, and the cardiac chain of survival should be implemented immediately: call 9-1-1 and direct other first responders to retrieve the Automated External Defibrillator (AED), start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately, use the AED as soon as possible. CPR and AED use should be continued until EMS responders arrive.
Having a cardiac emergency response plan that includes training in CPR and AED use is critical, and should take into consideration all youth activities that take place throughout the day and evening. Parents should insist that AEDs are publicly accessible and available everywhere that youth congregate.
PHW has created a new two-sided clipboard for coaches, teachers, and youth leaders with detailed "Prepare-Recognize-Take Action" information that could help save a young life in the event of SCA.
The clipboards, which feature a useful dry-erase board on the back, are available for purchase at www.parentheartwatch.org.
Parent Heart Watch is the national voice solely dedicated to protecting youth from sudden cardiac arrest and preventable sudden cardiac death. Parent Heart Watch leads and empowers others by sharing information, educating and advocating for change. www.parentheartwatch.org
Source URL: http://prweb.com/releases/2015/06/prweb12766906.htm
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