Effective bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) provided immediately after a sudden cardiac arrest can double or triple a victim’s chances of survival. Working in conjunction with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Town Council Members and employees of the Town of Highland Park have been trained in the use of basic CPR and the Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Annually, about 383,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital environment. It is estimated that only 32% receive bystander CPR. The chances of survivability have increased in those communities where more individuals have received CPR training. Ryan Dikes, Emergency Medical Services Coordinator for Highland Park Department of Public Safety adds,"Seattle, Washington has set the bar so to speak. Their survivability rate for a witnessed cardiac arrest is above 50 percent. This goes hand-in-hand with Seattle’s proactive approach to pre-hospital emergency care." Medical emergencies can occur at anytime and anyplace. Research has shown that bystander-initiated CPR greatly improves the chances of survival.

In addition to the basic CPR training, Town Council Members and staff were trained in the use of an AED, a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias and, using an electrical charge, may treat the patient by defibrillation. The goal is to allow the heart to reestablish a functional rhythm. “Early intervention is paramount to the successful outcome of any cardiac event,” says Chris Vinson, Director of Public Safety for Highland Park, “Soon, all of the Town facilities and DPS vehicles will be equipped with an AED.”

(This story was sent to BubbleLife from Lance Koppa, the Town of Highland Park's Public Information Officer.)