Bystander CPR saves life in Paso Robles

Posted: Feb 3, 2010 9:16 PM by Carina Corral
Updated: Feb 3, 2010 9:16 PM

Bystander CPR saves a life in Paso Robles.

Police said a man visiting a chiropractor's office on the 1800-block of Spring Street went into cardiac arrest last week.

The doctor initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR.

A Registered Nurse was being seen in another examination room and immediately joined the CPR efforts. They both continued CPR until Fire Department Paramedics arrived, who took over care and initiated Advanced Life Support measures.

The patient was taken to Twin Cities Community Hospital and was reported to be awake and alert on arrival at the hospital.

"The positive outcome in this case was directly influenced by early bystander CPR," said Fire Chief Ken Johnson.

Health experts say more than 92 percent of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital will die from it, largely because they do not get immediate CPR from bystanders.

They say doing CPR immediately after someone collapses can double or triple a person's survival odds.

For those interested in becoming CPR certified, contact the Paso Robles Department of Emergency Services at 805-227-7560.

Also, French Hospital is offering monthly CPR classes this year on the following dates:
· March 1st
· April 5th
· May 17th
· June 21st
· July 12th
· August 9th
· September 13th
· October 11th
· November 8th
· December 13th

Class sizes are limited to 25 participants each and registration, including a $15 materials fee, is required.

For more information, or to register for a class, call (805) 542-6268.