According to the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, Hispanics are the least likely to receive CPR
from a bystander, Blacks come in a close second with Whites being most likely to receive CPR from a bystander.
The statistics are staggering even among whites who could expect to receive only 23.9% response from CPR
Trained responders passing by, Hispanics receive only 12.3%.
"Blacks had a higher incidence of cardiac arrest and were less likely to receive bystander CPR (18% vs 25%)" compared to Whites.
Why is this? The fact is that very few people take their training seriously, therefore they either do not really
know the subject or are apathetic about providing care to a stranger,
especially if that stranger is of a different race or economic status.
Many become CPR certified because their employer requires it, so it is
of little value to them. They receive a card that is valid for 2 years
and that is where their training knowledge stops.
Often the responders are so inadequately trained they are afraid to
respond. Many seeking CPR certification choose a trainer on two
criteria: a) How much will it cost and b) how long is the class?
There no questions that ask, "How is the
training provided? How much hands on training is there? What supplies
are provided?
Just because it is a course that is approved by the State doesn't
speak to the trainers quality. Though the course is American Heart
Association, or Red Cross, doesn't guarantee good training.
Look at the disparity in the quality of training in the market place. What are you giving up when you choose
the $19.95 website training and those that, say set their fees at an
average of $65.00. What is the difference in the price? Is their
hands on training? Is a workbook included? Is the trainer a full
service trainer? Is it all trained by DVD or is there instructor
interaction?
With Bystander CPR having been proven to improve the survival of Sudden Cardiac Arrest, why are there so
many who either refuse to learn it or yet give it? Just a thought!
| Table 1 Patient factors and CPR performance |
| Demographics | Hispanic
(n = 273,
19.8%) | Non-Hispanic
(n = 1106,
80.2%) | P |
|---|
Age, mean ± SD (y)
Sex, female (%)
Witnessed arrest (%)
| 53.2 ± 25.0
34.4
44.3
| 64.5 ± 19.3
33.1
50.4
| .0001*
.674
.074
|
|---|
Time to EMS arrival,
mean (min) | 5.1 | 5.5 | .006* |
|---|
Initial rhythm (%)
VF | 20.5
| 26.7 | .036* |
|---|
Pulseless electrical
activity | 20.9 | 22.5
| .561
|
|---|
Asystole
Bystander CPR
performed (%) | 53.8
| 44.5
| .005* |
|---|
Lay-bystander CPR
performed (%) | 32.2
| 41.5
| .005* |
|---|
Location of arrest (%)
Residential | 16.1
| 25.8
| .001* |
|---|
Extended Care or
medical facility | 15.8
| 16.4
| .515* |
|---|
| Public Area |
65.9
| 68.2 |
|
|---|
SOURCE:
Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, news release, May 18, 2006
Dental Plans: http://www.dentalplans.com/articles/Hispanics%20Less%20Likely%20to/
AZshare: http://www.azshare.gov/documents/Hispanic%20AJEM%20PDF%20%282%29.pdf