As part of National CPR and AED Awareness Week (June 1–7), Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) invited media partners to attend a training opportunity for a hands-on experience at its Training Facility located in Doral.
Read more Call to artists: Deering Estate Artist-in-Residence Program
On Monday, June 1, MDFR’s Health Emergency Life Protection (HELP) Team hosted an interactive demo where media attendees learned how to properly use AEDs and administer hands-on CPR on adults, children, and dogs.
This training opportunity was designed to provide members of the media with firsthand experience and practical knowledge that can help save lives during cardiac and respiratory emergencies.
Immediate action from bystanders who perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) plays a critical role in improving survival outcomes. With over 70 percent of cardiac arrests occurring at home or in public spaces, increasing awareness and access to training is essential.
Knowing what to do in the event of an emergency is vital. Emergencies can happen without warning, and your best tools at your disposal are yourself, your knowledge, and the ability to act quickly when every second counts.
Cardiac emergencies and defibrillators:
Defibrillation only works for certain cardiac arrests where the heart is misfiring but is not beating. AEDs are programmed to only deliver a shock to patients whose heart is in a shockable rhythm and help restore a normal rhythm.
• Although the misuse of defibrillators can be ineffective or dangerous, it is not common. AEDs are built with safety in mind and are meant to be used by non-medical people with limited training who can follow voice instructions and safely deliver shocks. Timing is critical and defibrillation should be done quickly. Defibrillation within 3 to 5 minutes of collapse can produce a survival rate as high as 50-70 percent as survival chances drop by about 10 percent for every minute of delay.
• Modern AEDs make it easier for bystanders to respond quickly and safely since they are designed for easy use and require little training.
The device gives clear voice instructions, uses adhesive pads with simple illustrative placement guides, and checks the heart rhythm automatically. It also tells users when to stand clear, deliver a shock, call 911 and begin CPR.
Read more One last epic Fourth of July at Deli Lane’s historic home
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR):
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), every year in the United States, cardiovascular disease and sudden cardiac arrest claim the lives of 335,000 Americans before they reach a hospital.
• CPR saves lives, but only if there is someone present who knows how to perform it properly when every second counts.
• Hands-only CPR involves delivering 100-120 chest compressions per minute to help maintain vital blood flow to the heart and brain.
• Effective bystander CPR provided immediately after cardiac arrest can double a victim’s chance of survival.
The MDFR HELP Program actively exists in Miami-Dade County and is being offered to county residents free of charge. The community can sign up to attend these workshops on the department’s website.
Since its inception in April 2023, the HELP Program has trained over 11,000 people across Miami-Dade County, through classes held at businesses, libraries and community centers. The program also has been offered to students enrolled in School for Advanced Studies (SAS) programs, public and charter schools, as well as county employees in departments including Aviation, Corrections and Rehabilitation, Parks and Recreation, Cultural Affairs, Seaport, Solid Waste Management, and Transit.
ABOUT US:
For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.
This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.
Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.
If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected] or [email protected].
Read more Early voting schedule for Aug. 18 Primary Election