The Centre Region’s cardiac arrest survival rate continues to climb, according to Centre LifeLink’s annual Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival report.
A total of 23 percent of cardiac arrest victims are walking out of the hospital in good or moderate health, compared to a national average of 8.5 percent.
Since the implementation of automatic chest compression systems, additional training among Centre LifeLink staff and community members, the Centre Region’s overall survival rate has climbed from 11 percent in 2011.
“Starting CPR right away is the key to survival,” said Centre LifeLink EMS chief Kent Knable. In this region, bystanders initiate CPR 54 percent of the time, while the national average is just 40 percent.
“We urge everyone in the community to get trained in CPR,” said Centre LifeLink’s training manager, Eliza Shaw. “You never know when you may have to use it.”
A variety of CPR classes are offered monthly at Centre LifeLink EMS.
