Libby Says...
Just finished renewing my CPR certificate. I try to do it every year, now, even though I took a few years off from it. I've never had to use it, but just knowing that I'm certified, and up-to-date makes me feel as though I could help if someone needed it. I guess it's a feeling of control, probably, but also of wanting to help. Every year (for the past 20 years), Houston does one of those mass-certification things -- this year, my friend Cindy and I took it together -- makes it much more fun to do something like that with a friend. In any case, I highly recommend that if you're not certified or trained that you think about it, According to our instructor today, every minute that goes by without CPR for sudden death (someone who's suddenly stopped breathing/has no heartbeat) reduces their chances of survival by 11%. In Houston, it takes about 4-5 minutes to get a first response EMS to a victim. Plus the minute or so you took to call 9-1-1. That's 66% less of a survival rate. If you can start CPR, you can double a person's chances of survival. The national average survival rate is less than 5%. In Houston, before they started doing these mass CPR training classes, the survival rate was about with the national average, or a bit lower. Now, Houston's average is 23-35%. In Houston, the chances a bystander (layperson) can help and will help is 48%. In Seattle, the only city in the US where they've been doing these mass CPR training classes longer than they have here in Houston (started in 1972), the bystander help rate is 60%. There's lots of places to get training, such as the American Red Cross (here's their "Get Trained" link) or the American Heart Association. FYI -- Tomorrow is "world heart day." Do something good for your heart. Permanent Link to this entry: Permanent Link
I've finished moving into my new apartment, had more medical tests than you can shake a stick at, been to Colorado on business, and officially started training for the marathon in January. I'm still trying to buy some furniture for my new house, like a bed and some chairs and a coffee table... My aunt sent me an e-mail today worrying about me because it's been so long since I last blogged. So, I figured I'd better at least say hi so you'd know I was still alive. Word for the day (from Wordsmith.org) -- when I was out in California visiting my friends, Liz and I found rings that say "Freedom" on one side and "True Bliss" -- today's word reminded me of the ring, the fun I had visiting in CA.
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