Emma Radebaugh It seems we are all impatiently waiting for the arrival of summer so we can head out into nature and seize the day from dawn until dusk. Many of us fitness nuts will go for runs, mountain biking, climbing, and doing just about anything to get our hearts and adrenaline pumping. However, with extreme sports comes extreme workouts and activities that push our bodies to their limits, which can be dangerous. Therefore, knowing why you should get CPR certified for the summer may be in your best interest.
You Can Save a Life
CPR is short for cardiopulmonary resuscitation—a lifesaving treatment that anyone can learn how to administer. Yes, that’s right, you don’t need to be a healthcare professional to learn CPR. You could become the catalyst that changes a cardiac arrest victim’s outcome when you obtain this knowledge—because a bystander who can successfully administer CPR can double or triple the victim’s chances of survival.
Anything Can Happen
It’s a sad truth, but did you know that every year 436,000 Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest? Of that 436,000, 350,000 occur during our daily life, meaning outside of the hospital. Without the aid of a hospital, life expectancy is quite low, which is why bystander CPR is so crucial. Being able to offer this lifesaving assistance is one of the main reasons why you should get CPR certified this summer, especially if you have an active lifestyle.
Reduce a Victim’s Fatality Risk
We tend to think that because we lead an active lifestyle, we could never experience a cardiac arrest. While a healthy lifestyle does lower your chances, it doesn’t decrease them altogether, so everyone is at some risk. It seems outlandish, but it appears as if we constantly hear about a perfectly healthy individual having a sudden cardiac arrest that would have been fatal without intervention.
When you get basic life support training, you will learn how to administer CPR and assist victims in medical distress. You will also be helping to reduce the risk of cardiac arrest fatalities. With this essential knowledge, you gain confidence knowing that your friends and family are a little bit safer when you’re around.
