Learn First Aid/CPR, by Representative Cheryl Chase

 

What if your parent, spouse, child, grandchild, friend or co-worker suddenly collapsed?  What will you do? How long will you wait until first responders arrive to render aid?  Tragedy can strike at any moment and you should be prepared to respond when someone you love needs your help.  Breathing must be restored and blood flowing to the brain quickly, before damage becomes too severe and death becomes certain.

This happened once again to me just last week, when a fellow State Rep. Ray Barnes collapsed in his chair on the house floor.  Many crowded around Rep. Barnes, not knowing what to do to help.  I immediately instructed people to move and to wheel his chair away from his desk and to lay Ray Barnes on the aisle floor.  Rep. Carpenter (retired Fire Fighter) and myself (an Industrial Nurse) assessed our patient and found no response, no breathing and no pulse.  I instructed another legislator to call 911 and I started mouth to mouth and Rep. Carpenter started chest compressions.

State House Security brought in a nearby Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and affixed it to Rep. Barnes’ chest, which showed a flat line.  Security initiated a charge and then Rep. Barnes had a pulse. Paramedics arrived and immediately took over and transported Rep. Barnes to Emergency Care.  I was thankful that I and a few other legislators insisted on installing AEDs in State Buildings and I worked with Phoenix Fire to purchase and install them in the State House.  They have proven to be a highly effective and immediate life saver.  Ask your employer to purchase one for your workplace and train several employees.  The price is very reasonable and anyone can learn to operate an AED. 

Rep Barnes was very fortunate to survive his heart attack and to have so many trained friends to render medical help.  This is not the case for most victims, who often meet unnecessary death.  I have been a First Responder Instructor for many years and have found that the best way to respond to a crisis is to be prepared ahead of time.  Enroll in a certified First Aid/CPR course.  You can visit the American Heart Association website at www.americanheart.org and the Red Cross website at www.redcross.org to learn more on enrolling in a course and information on the AED.  Do it for those you love and care about.     

 

Representative Cheryl Chase, R-Kearny, has served Pinal County for the past six years in the AZ House of Representatives - Legislative District 23. Representative Chase can be reached at cchase@azleg.gov and always welcomes your input.