Life is short and therefore we must preserve all those whose lives are in danger.

By 2015 an estimated 20 million people will die from cardiovascular disease. Most of these deaths will be due to heart attacks or strokes.  CPR is one effective way to help someone if he/she is having a heart attack or a stroke. There are now two methods to do CPR: hands only CPR and first responder CPR.  These two ways differ in time frame.

The Wildcat Word crew interviewed two certified paramedics about these methods.

A.J Matturro, a certified ALS, ACLS, and Paramedic teaches all EMT levels of CPR. Matturro believes that both the Hands Only CPR and First Responder CPR are very effective because they help those in trouble.

Matturro explains that the Hands Only CPR method is for people who don’t know CPR well. “When you see someone fall to the ground, and you are a person who does not know CPR, you can skip looking for a pulse because that takes so much time away from you,” Matturro explains. “All you need to do is check for respiration. If there is no breath, you commence hand compressions. When you compress, it should be hard and fast. The depth should be at least 2 inches.”

Mrs. Sherri Holmberg is also a paramedic, a firefighter BLS Red Cross CPR instructor and a EMS. Holmberg believes that both these CPR methods are great.

Holmberg says “As first responders, we look for respirations and a pulse, because we know where to look for both of these signs.” Holmberg states that unlike Hands Only, First Responder CPR is more effective when done by trained individuals.

Those 20 million people who might have died from lack of proper CPR now have a chance. Now anyone can use Hand Only CPR to save a life.