The “chain of survival” concept was first introduced in the American Heart Association’s Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care published in 1992. The chain of survival is a metaphor that illustrates a series of related interventions that will improve the outcomes of victims of cardiac and respiratory emergencies. Each link in the chain identifies an early intervention: early access (call 9-1-1) or your local emergency response system, early CPR, early defibrillation, and early advanced life support. Each early intervention requires the training of persons ranging from the lay rescuer, to the first responder, to EMTs, to the emergency room physician. This training is delivered through the American Heart Association’s Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC TRAINING NETWORK).

Can you save a life? In an emergency, when every second is criticial, would you know what to do? According to recent statistics sudden cardiac arrest is rapidly becoming the leading cause of death in America. Once the heart ceases to function, a healthy human brain may survive without oxygen for up to 4 minutes without suffering any permanent damage. Unfortunately, a typical EMS response may take 6, 8 or even 10 minutes. It is during those critical minutes that CPR can provide oxygenated blood to the victim's brain and the heart, dramatically increasing his chance of survival. And if properly instructed, almost anyone can learn and perform CPR. CPR TIME LINE 0-4 mins. brain damage unlikely 4-6 mins. brain damage possible 6-10 mins. brain damage probable over 10 mins. probable brain death

With a baby or young child in your family, you know there is nothing more important than safety. Whether you're a parent or a child caregiver, there are steps you can take to keep babies and children safe. Follow these general safety rules.

Use safe playgrounds.
Use gates on stairs.
Always supervise children in or near water.
Buckle up.
Never keep guns in any child care setting.
Call the poison control center if you think a child has been poisoned.
Post emergency numbers next to your telephone.

CHILD & INFANT SAFETY - [ show/hide ]

Death of chilren and infants can be avoided if the necessary precautions are taken......

Child Safety: Keeping Your Home Safe for Your Baby

How can I make the crib safe?

Choose a crib with bars no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. If the space between the bars is too wide, your baby could slip through and strangle between the bars.

Use the ruler below to check the width of the space between the bars. Weave a cloth between the bars if they are too far apart.

The crib should not have corner posts that stick up. Unscrew the corner posts or saw them off.

The mattress should fit snugly against the sides of the crib. No more than 2 fingers should fit between the mattress and the side of the crib. Place rolled towels between the mattress and the crib if the mattress is too small.

When your baby can push up, remove bumpers, pillows and toys from the crib. Your baby can step on these things to climb out of the crib and fall.

What else can I do to keep the bedroom safe?

Remove any cords that could get around the baby's neck. Keep the crib away from electric cords, drapes and curtain cords, or tie up the cords so they are less than 6 inches long and out of your child's reach. Mobiles and hanging crib toys should also be kept out of your baby's reach. Remove strings on crib toys and pacifiers.

How can I make the kitchen safe?

Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Use the back burners on the stove for cooking.

Keep hot foods and drinks out of reach--away from the edge of a counter or table. Keep knives and other sharp objects out of reach or in locked or "childproof" drawers or cabinets. Wind up appliance cords and keep them out of reach.

How can I keep medicines and poisons out of reach?

Keep medicines, vitamins, cleaning supplies and other poisons in locked cabinets. Children can't tell what is medicine and what is candy.

If your child swallows something he or she shouldn't, call a poison control center right away. Keep the telephone number by your phone. Syrup of ipecac can be used to make your child throw up the poison, but it should only be used if the poison control center recommends it.

How can I make bath time safe?

Because children can drown in very little water, you should always stay with your child when he or she is in the bathtub. NEVER leave your child alone or with an older child in the bathroom or tub--not even for a minute. If you have to answer the phone or doorbell, take your child with you.

Always test the water before putting your child in the tub. Young children have tender skin and are easily burned if the water in the sink or bathtub is too hot.

Set your water heater to 120^oF or less. To check the temperature of the hot water from the faucet, run the water over a meat or candy thermometer for 3 minutes.

Keep electrical items such as hair dryers away from the water and unplugged when you aren't using them. They can cause an electric shock if they fall into the sink or bathtub while they're plugged in.

How can I be sure toys are safe?

The parts on toys for children younger than 3 years old should not be smaller than 1 1/4 inches in diameter or 2 1/4 inches long. Any part smaller than this could cause your child to choke. If a toy fits through a toilet paper roll, it can put your child at risk for choking.

Check the label to make sure a toy is safe for your child's age. Keep toys meant for older children away from babies and toddlers.

What about houseplants?

Plants should be placed out of your child's reach. Some houseplants are poisonous. Call your local poison control center to find out if your plants are poisonous.

Are stairs dangerous?

They can be. Use toddler gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Gates with big spaces between the slats shouldn't be used--children can get trapped in the openings.

What about windows?

Keep children away from open windows to prevent falls. Screens are made to keep bugs out--NOT to keep children in. Use window guards to keep children from falling. Keep chairs and other furniture away from windows so children can't climb up. If possible, open windows from the top, not the bottom.

Other safety tips

Keep plastic bags and deflated or burst balloons away from young children.
Use plastic inserts to cover electric outlet openings that are not being used.
Keep alcohol and cigarettes out of reach.
Keep guns and other firearms out of the house. If guns are in the house, unload them, put them in a locked place and keep the keys out of your child's reach. Store the gun in a separate place from the bullets.
When your baby is placed on anything above the ground, like a changing table, always stand close with your hand on your baby.
Lock matches and lighters in a cabinet that is higher than your shoulders.

Stroke Warning signs - [ show/hide ]

Heart Attack Warning signs - [ show/hide ]

Heart Attack Warning Signs
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, have it checked out. Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call your local emergency response number.

Calling your local emregency response number is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. The staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too.

If you can't access the emergency medical services (EMS), have someone drive you to the hospital right away. If you're the one having symptoms, don't drive yourself, unless you have absolutely no other option.