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Show Important to learn CPR You've heard it on television and radio, on programs like "Rescue 911. A telephone rings in an Emergency Dispatch Center, and the Dispatcher says, "911, what is your emergency ?' A frantic voice on the other end can be heard to say, "My baby's drowned, you have to help me! The dispatcher replies, "You say your baby's drowned? Do you know CPR?' The replay comes m screams and sobs from the other end of the phone: "No, No!' Davis County Sheriff Harry Jones said this scenario is repeated almost daily in dispatch centers around the country. Emergency medical dispatchers try talking a frantic mother, father, son or friend through the steps of CPR in an effort to save someone's life. Deputy Paramedic Kim Tauss points out that, "CPR is a skill that can save a life. Every person in our county should learn how to perform CPR." When paramedics respond to a heart attack, drowning or suffocation, suf-focation, a patients chances of survival sur-vival are greatly enhanced if CPR is initiated as soon as possible. Tauss said, "There have been I many cases when paramedics arrive at the scene of an emergency, and the victim is not receiving CPR because no one knows how to start it or because people are too upset to think about it. Tauss feels that one of the basic steps in learning to deal with emergencies is knowing how to perform per-form CPR. "People can do a lot to help the paramedics. One of the things they can do is have a basic knowledge of first aid, how to use the 911 emergency telephone system and how to do CPR. ' Sheriff Jones said, "Preparing for an emergency is the first step in surviving an emergency. Learning CPR is probably the single most important thing anyone can do to prepare for a medical emergency. Jones indicated that CPR is simple, easy to learn and training is available in every community. "Don't put learning CPR off for another day. If you already know it, review it. If you haven t learned it, find out where in your community you can go. Jones indicated that CPR classes can be set up through the Davis County Sheriff s Department by calling 451-3500. Classes may also be obtained through the Emergency Training Council at 562-2663, the Utah Heart Association or your local fire or police department |