CPR statistics

> In the United Kingdom, there are approximately 60,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests each year [1]

> Chest compressions were accidentally discovered in 1958 in a medical experiment on dogs [2]

> 88% of cardiac arrests happen at home [3]

> Brain damage from lack of oxygen occurs between 3 – 4 minutes after a sudden cardiac arrest

> Less than 10% of patients in the UK who suffer an out of hospital cardiac arrest leave hospital alive [4]

[1] http://www.bhf.org.uk/pdf/ELS_policy_statement_June2012.pdf

[2] http://bit.ly/Y4EolZ

[3] http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/WhatisCPR/CPRFactsandStats/CPR-Statistics_UCM_307542_Article.jsp

[4] http://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/life-saving-skills/hands-only-cpr-faqs.aspx