the police department , but police dispatchers only send out police or fire department personnel . If the call is for something like a heart attack , stroke or injury , the police dispatcher will collect the basic information , then transfer the caller to Fort Smith EMS for further help , Sierra said .
Brian Weindel is director of communications for Fort Smith EMS . He , too , stressed the importance of calling 911 quickly with specific details of what is happening . The majority – 70 to 90 percent – of cardiac arrest patients , for instance , die before they reach a hospital , Brian said .
“ The sooner we get the call in , the sooner we can get treatment to the patient ,” Brian said . “ Calling 911 quickly gives the patient the greatest chance of survival .”
Even small children can learn to call 911 . Brian said that recent studies conducted by the AHA have shown that children as young as 4 years old can learn to call 911 . Children as young as 6 can give an accurate address to dispatchers , and children 9 and older have proven capable of performing CPR on a patient , he said .
Brian urged parents to teach even small children how to call 911 , but that includes more than simply pushing 911 on a phone . Children should know how to unlock a cell phone , how to give their location and phone number to the dispatcher , and how to describe the situation in as much detail as possible . He suggested parents teach their children and repeat the lessons every four to six months , saying the repetition will help children remember .
Above all , it helps if the 911 caller can remain calm , Brian said . Surprisingly , many child callers are not panicked , he said .
“ Generally , most children don ’ t grasp the full importance ( of an emergency situation ),” he said . “ Sometimes , we have to adjust our procedures and how we ask for information . We ’ ve got to talk to them on their level to better communicate .”
Dispatchers always try to stay on the line , especially with a child caller , until help in the form of emergency responders or another adult arrives , Brian said .
Learning and practicing these basic life-saving skills is good for children , these experts agree . Knowing what to do in an emergency can help boost confidence and help keep you and those around you safer .
To Take Classes To sign up for Heartsaver classes in basic first aid or CPR , contact CPR Center 801 S . 21st St . Fort Smith , AR 72901 www . cprcenter . com info @ cprcenter . com
Basic CPR Guidelines These are the basic CPR steps :
• Check the scene and the victim . Make sure it is safe to approach the victim and that there is no danger to you or others . Check to see if the victim is unresponsive .
• Call 911 . If the victim is unresponsive , call 911 before beginning CPR . If others are present , designate someone , by name if possible , to call 911 .
• Check for breathing and open airway . Position the victim on their back on a firm surface and check if they are breathing for 10 seconds . If possible , tilt the head back and lift the chin to open the airway .
• Begin CPR , starting with chest compressions . Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest , and place your other hand on top , interlocking your fingers . Maintain a compression rate of 100-120 compressions per minute . For adult or child victims , compressions should reach a depth of 2 to 2.4 inches . Compressions are not as deep for infants .
• After 30 chest compressions , use the head tilt / chin lift technique and give two mouth to mouth breaths for about one second .
Make sure the victim ’ s chest rises .
• Repeat the CPR cycle . Continue giving 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until help arrives .
• Use an Automated External Defibrillator ( AED ) device if one is available . Turn on the machine and attach the pads during CPR . An AED analyzes abnormal heart rhythms and sends an electric shock to get the heart to return to its normal rhythm .
• Put the victim in the recovery position .
Calling 911
Calling 911 might seem like a simple thing , but Brian Weindel , director of communications for Fort Smith EMS , wants people to know there is a little more to consider .
• Designate someone specific to call 911 . In an emergency with several bystanders , call the person by name , if possible , or point to them and make eye contact . Simply shouting , “ Someone call 911 !” is ambiguous and might result in everyone assuming someone else called , Brian said . If you are alone with the victim , call 911 before you begin lifesaving measures like CPR .
• Know the needed information . 911 dispatchers need basic information like the caller ’ s location and phone number , details of what happened and who is involved , Brian said .
• Don ’ t forget the codes . When teaching children to call 911 , don ’ t forget they must know how to first unlock the phone , Brian said . Most cell phones require a code to be entered before the phone can be used .
Some businesses or hotel and motel phones require an extra digit to get an outside line . Know how to call 911 properly if your family is on vacation and such a phone is all that is available , Brian said .
• Even phones with no active cell plan can call 911 . The phone just needs to be charged . This might come in handy if an inactive phone is all you have available . Brian warned that many parents give old phones to small children to play with . Be aware that it is possible for that child to call 911 accidentally , he said . It ’ s best to talk to children about the importance of not calling 911 if there is no emergency , he said .
Photos courtesy Mercy Fort Smith , CPR Center and Brittany Cunningham
www . OfficialKidsMag . com • October 2024 • 7