Itasca, IL – More than 300,000 people each year suffer from sudden cardiac arrest in the United States, according to the Citizen CPR Foundation. But CPR and AED training can save 317 lives in 2011 alone, according to the National Safety Council. The council is sponsoring two survivors – Kinlee Keltner and James Odgers – so they can attend the Emergency Cardiac Care Update’s Survivor Summit on Dec. 9 in San Diego, CA., celebrating the 50th anniversary of CPR’s discovery.
Kinlee was 2 years old the evening she splashed in her grandfather’s pool with her siblings and father. She needed to go inside to use the bathroom, so her father Brian removed her floaties. Kinlee’s mother, Sherridan, was inside the house and did not see Kinlee leave the bathroom. The little girl slipped into the pool unnoticed. Moments later, when Sherridan and Brian realized she was missing, Kinlee’s grandfather pulled her body from the pool. Fortunately, Brian is a master CPR instructor for NSC. He began chest compressions and rescue breaths, and an off-duty paramedic nearby heard the 911 call and came to help. Kinlee’s prognosis at the hospital was not positive, but she defied predictions and made a full recovery.
James, 61, was at work outside the Tampa International Airport when he collapsed in sudden cardiac arrest. Four of his co-workers, who had been trained in NSC lifesaving skills courses, immediately began CPR and kept blood and oxygen moving throughout James’ body with chest compressions for the next four to five minutes. When responders arrived with an AED, they took over chest compressions and shocked James three times to restore his heartbeat. James was given an implanted defibrillator and two stents in the hospital. Four months later he was back at work alongside the co-workers who saved him.
NSC offers CPR and AED courses for the general public and safety personnel.
The National Safety Council (www.nsc.org) saves lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the roads through leadership, research, education and advocacy.