By: Dave Maynard, Management & Program Analyst, AJF-213
Member of Aeronautical Center Employee Development (AsCEnD) program Cohort

Did you know that the month of January has the most cardiovascular deaths? Knowing how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) could save a life and offer someone a second chance. As you’re thinking about New Year’s resolutions, consider getting a CPR/AED certification.

Getting certified is not as hard as one may think. Training is offered at the Aeronautical Center at no cost through of the Facility Services Division (AMP-100) with instructor, Robert Brown. He is a wealth of knowledge! Robert has taught CPR/AED and First Aid training for years at Aeronautical Center as an American Heart Association certified trainer, and he periodically works weekends as a local EMT-Paramedic. There are some organizations on the Aeronautical Center that offer CPR/AED classes, so double check with your organization to see if they offer any training. The American Heart Association and the American Red Cross offer classes as well, but there is a fee. In some situations, fees can be waived. Training should be repeated every two years. When the time comes, it is important that you have the knowledge to respond with confidence during a heightened emotional event.

Below is an example where knowing CPR/AED training saved someone’s life, but there are countless more.

One of our colleagues told me about a very scary time in his life when he experienced a heart attack. He stopped breathing and was fortunately given a second chance at life, thanks to the people who administered CPR to him.

Aeronautical Information Specialist, George Trammell (from AJV) was working as a Delta Air Lines Captain on September 5, 1993. He had experienced some chest discomfort, but to him, it was nothing out of the ordinary. He was commuting to his assigned flight, but after boarding and sitting in the last row of a Delta flight, he had a heart attack and stopped breathing. Trammell said, "Lucky for me, seated in front of me was an EMT who turned to his girlfriend and said, ’he is having a heart attack.’ The EMT yelled, ’Medical emergency!’ and pulled me into the aisle."

Still boarding the aircraft were two Emergency Room doctors (husband and wife) who came to assist the EMT. The flight attendant provided the AED that Delta had just put onto the aircraft weeks earlier (which at the time had just become a new FAA requirement). They performed CPR and used the AED to shock him four times before his heart restarted! The Atlanta Airport Fire Department arrived, and he arrested again in the jet bridge. "They used their high-powered AED and I remember them saying ’he’s back,’" shares Trammell.

Four days later, Trammell had quadruple bypass surgery. Fast forward to today – he is doing well and has 11 grandchildren and 1 great grandson!

Knowing how to perform CPR is critical; but knowing the symptoms of a heart attack could also save a life. If you or a loved one mention discomfort that sounds like a possible heart attack symptom, call ext. 4-3444 (while on the Aeronautical Center premises) or 9-1-1 if you are not on the Center.

Pay attention to potential symptoms of a heart attack:

Chest pain. Heart attack discomfort usually occurs in the center of the chest. Patients often describe it as a feeling of uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, or fullness. The discomfort can come and go or linger for several minutes or more.

Upper-body discomfort. It’s common for patients to experience pain in one or both arms or shoulders, their neck, jaw, back, or stomach.

Shortness of breath. It can be accompanied by chest pain, but not always.

Other signs.Some patients will start to feel nauseous, light-headed, or break out in a cold sweat when they’re having a heart attack.

There are many reasons why it is important to learn CPR/AED, besides saving a life; it is easy to learn, it prevents brain death, it can help you properly handle an emergency, and it allows you to become part of the solution.

Knowing CPR could make a huge difference during those 6 to 12 minutes before medical help arrives, giving the person a better chance for full recovery. Almost 85% of all cardiac arrests take place in the home. Learn CPR and feel confident in knowing that there is something you can do until professional medical help arrives.