CPR-AED Publication.pdf

Rappahannock EMS Council provides information on how to help in emergency situations, such as learning CPR, recognizing signs of heart attack, stroke, and cardiac arrest. Key signs to know include:
HEART ATTACK: chest discomfort, arm, back, neck or jaw pain, trouble breathing, sweating, nausea, lightheadedness.
STROKE (FAST): face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, time to call 9-1-1.
CARDIAC ARREST: sudden loss of responsiveness, no normal breathing, hands-only CPR, call 9-1-1, use an AED.
Additional stroke symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness of the leg, confusion, trouble seeing, walking, dizziness, loss of balance, severe headache.
Cardiac arrest is caused by the heart's electrical system malfunctioning, and death can occur within minutes if not treated with CPR and a defibrillator.
Heart attacks can be sudden or start slowly, and common symptoms include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, back or jaw pain.
Immediate action is crucial, and calling 9-1-1 or the emergency response number within five minutes can save lives.