About 900 Americans die every day because of sudden cardiac arrest, according to the American Heart Association.

The key to survival? Getting help right away - within a few minutes, preferably.

When a bystander performs effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, it can double or triple a victim's chance of survival, experts say.

Yet, sadly enough, less than 1/3 of sudden cardiac arrest victims receive bystander CPR.

The reasons are complex.

"Research has clearly shown that the average bystander may not be willing to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on a stranger," says Bob Loftus, one of the primary CPR instructors at John A. Logan College in Carterville. "The fear of AIDS, hepatitis and various other communicable infections is not easily overcome."

Also, a recent AHA survey reveals few Americans (12 to 20 percent) are confident they would know when it is appropriate to perform CPR or use an automated external defibrillator.

Compounding the issue is the well-intentioned media spotlight on hands-only CPR versus traditional CPR, leaving many confused about when each is needed.

For those needing some clarification, hands-only CPR (also known as compressions-only CPR) is CPR without mouth-to-mouth breaths.

It involves two easy steps: Call 911, and push hard and fast on the center of the victim's chest. Don't stop until help arrives. Both the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association recommend it.

Kate Cohorst, communications director of the American Heart Association, Midwest affiliate, offers an easy way to remember. "The most effective rate for chest compressions is 100 compressions per minute - the same rhythm as the beat of the Bee Gees' song, 'Stayin' Alive,'" she says.

If you're confused about when hands-only CPR is needed, keep in mind this simple rule: "If you see an adult go down, call 911 and start performing compressions-only CPR right away," says Claudia Blackman, health and safety coordinator of the American Red Cross, Little Egypt Network in Herrin. "Initiate pushing hard on the center of the chest until EMS shows up or someone else takes over."

Loftus, who has taught CPR for 35 years, admits the gold standard would still be conventional CPR that includes rescue breaths. However, he says science has clearly shown that if people do hands-only CPR on a witnessed arrest, then the chances for survival are higher than if no action were taken.

Blackman says you shouldn't give hands-only CPR to infants and children, nor to adults who nearly drown or have cardiac arrest because of a respiratory cause. They all need conventional CPR, which involves 30 compressions to two breaths.

"CPR is one skill you hope you never have to use," says RN and CPR instructor for the AHA Amy Wright, who is also a school health coordinator with community benefits at Southern Illinois Healthcare. "But if a situation arises where it's needed, it can save a life in the long run, and that is good."

poornima.jayaraman@thesouthern.com / 351-5019

Find a CPR class

"It's critical for people to get trained in CPR and learn how to use an AED," says Bob Loftus, one of the primary CPR instructors at John A. Logan College in Carterville. "Who knows, it could help save a life in the future."

"We currently have 90 to 100 CPR instructors who can provide a variety of CPR and first-aid training programs to the John A. Logan College district as a community service at minimal cost," says Greg Stettler, director of continuing education at John A. Logan College.

As an AHA Training Center, the college trained more than 5,000 people in CPR last year. Call 985-3741, ext. 8401 or e-mail gregstettler@jalc.edu for more information on CPR classes.

You can also visit the American Heart Association Web site or call (877) 242-4277 to find a CPR class near you.

- Poornima Jayaraman

Facts that could save your life

Death from sudden cardiac arrest is not inevitable. If more people knew CPR, more lives could be saved.

Brain death starts to occur four to six minutes after someone experiences sudden cardiac arrest if no CPR or defibrillation occurs during that time.

If bystander CPR is not provided, a sudden cardiac arrest victim's chances of survival fall seven percent to 10 percent for every minute of delay until defibrillation. Few attempts at resuscitation are successful if CPR and defibrillation are not provided within minutes of collapse.

- The American Heart Association

CPR Q&A

Question: Is a heart attack and cardiac arrest the same thing?

Answer: Sudden cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack.

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when electrical impulses in the heart become rapid or chaotic, which causes the heart to suddenly stop beating.

A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is blocked. A heart attack may cause cardiac arrest.

Q: What do I do if I find an adult who is collapsed but no one saw it happen?

A: Call 911 and start CPR. If you learned conventional CPR (with mouth-to-mouth breathing), then call 911 and provide CPR as you learned it. If you only know hands-only CPR, call 911 and give hands-only CPR until an AED arrives and is ready for use or EMS providers take over care of the victim.

- The American Heart Association