“Living in a rural community can mean having to wait twice as long to receive medical care,” said Amy Rademaker, farm safety specialist at Carle. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of EMS and Highway Safety, the average response time for agencies in Champaign and Urbana is between 5 and 5.5 minutes. Among 45 rural communities in east central Illinois, the average response time doubles to 10-12 minutes.
“Knowing how to properly perform CPR is important for anyone, but especially for those living or working in rural areas,” said Rademaker. “Since emergency crews could take more than 10 minutes to arrive at a rural residence, it’s critical that CPR be started before they arrive.”
Compared to previous recommendations of first opening the victim’s airway and then giving a breath, the American Heart Association released new guidelines in 2010 that encourage rescuers to start chest compressions immediately on anyone who is unresponsive. Since victims still have oxygen in their lungs and bloodstream during the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, research has shown that starting compressions can pump blood to the victim’s brain and heart sooner than if other steps were performed first.
In the event of an emergency, rescuers should remember these important tips:
- Give chest compressions at a rate of at least 100 times per minute, a faster pace than previously recommended. This can be done to the beat of the song Stayin’ Alive.
- Push deeper on the chest, compressing at least two inches in adults and children and 1.5 inches in infants.
- Avoid leaning on the chest between each compression to allow it to return to its starting position.
- Continue chest compressions until emergency responders arrive. If you need a break, have someone else fill in.
- Give 2 breaths for every 30 chest compressions.
Rademaker also urges having more than one person on a farm or workplace be CPR-certified in the event a trained responder is the one who requires medical attention, and to remember that rescuers must stay up to date on new CPR requirements and get re-certified when their cards expire.
“Residing in a rural area provides challenges you just don’t have in the city, so it’s important to pre-plan,” adds Rademaker. “Type up directions to each of your properties or businesses and have them in multiple vehicles so anyone can recite directions to the 911 dispatcher without forgetting any detail. You can also make sure someone is stationed by the road to guide emergency crews. In a panicked situation, you can’t risk wasting even a minute.”
Carle currently offers HeartSaver CPR and first aid classes in various rural communities throughout east central Illinois. The classes are available to the general lay-person and are free of charge, but fill up quickly. Registration for 2012 classes will begin December 1 – to register for a class or for more information, please visit carle.org/cpr.