FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), lay rescuers should feel confident they can provide high-performance CPR immediately to help the victim survive. High-performance cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) involves performing chest compressions at the optimal depth and rate, minimizing compression interruptions, and avoiding leaning on the victim's chest. High-performance CPR is also referred to as high-quality CPR by the medical community, and the terms are interchangeable.

Every year in the United States, more than 350,000 incidents of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occur outside of a hospital. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when an electrical malfunction of the heart causes it to suddenly stop beating properly, ceasing blood flow to the victim’s brain, lungs, and other organs.

According to the Heart Rhythm Foundation, Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for an estimated 325,000 deaths each year.

When a bystander reaches for an automated external defibrillator (AED) during a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) emergency, it’s vital that the device be ready to deliver a life-saving shock.

Advanced Life Support (ALS) is a set of life-saving protocols and skills that extend beyond Basic Life Support (BLS). It is used to provide urgent treatment to cardiac emergencies such as cardiac arrest, stroke, myocardial infarction, and other conditions.

When a patient has difficulty breathing, a mechanical ventilator assists them by manipulating the pressure in their lungs. Mechanical ventilation typically involves a machine, called a ventilator, to help the patient breathe, as opposed to manual ventilation, which uses a bag valve mask (BVM) that must be operated manually.

Transport ventilators, also known as portable ventilators, are mechanical ventilation devices designed specifically for emergency or transport scenarios. Like stationary ventilators, they help patients breathe by delivering either oxygen-enriched gas or room air into a patient's respiratory system through invasive or noninvasive means.

A suction machine, also known as an aspirator, is a type of medical device that is primarily used for removing obstructions — like mucus, saliva, blood, or secretions — from a person's airway.

Mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (mCPR) devices provide automated chest compressions to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) victims.