Overcoming Fear and Language Barriers: CPR Education Empowers Latino Community

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Overcoming Fear and Language Barriers CPR
Education Empowers Latino Community
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In central Virginia, a CPR class conducted in
Spanish is making a difference for members of the
Latino community who recognize the life-saving
potential of the technique. However, fear and
uncertainty often hinder their ability to provide
critical care in emergency situations. Trainers,
who have witnessed this apprehension firsthand,
are taking a comprehensive approach in their CPR
classes. Not only do they teach participants how
to administer CPR correctly to someone
experiencing cardiac arrest, but they also
provide culturally relevant information to
alleviate concerns.
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Dr. Max Luna, a cardiologist, and director of the
Latino Health Initiative at the University of
Virginia in Charlottesville, emphasizes the
importance of addressing the fears and hesitation
that may prevent individuals from performing CPR.
The initiative's CPR program focuses on creating
a comfortable environment and instilling
confidence in participants. Cardiac arrest
occurs when the heart suddenly stops, resulting
in the loss of consciousness and cessation of
blood flow to vital organs. CPR mimics the
heart's pumping action by using chest
compressions to maintain blood circulation.
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According to statistics from the American Heart
Association, over 350,000 cardiac arrests occur
outside of hospitals each year in the United
States, with the majority happening at home.
Research has shown that Hispanic and Black
individuals, including children, who experience
cardiac arrest in public settings, are less
likely to receive CPR from a lay responder
compared to their white counterparts. The Latino
Health Initiative aims to increase the number of
Latino individuals prepared to administer CPR
during emergencies. Dr. Luna, also an associate
professor of cardiovascular medicine, stresses
the need to bridge this gap in knowledge and
skills.
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While the CPR classes offered by the initiative
include information about automated external
defibrillators (AEDs), and devices that can
restore a normal heart rhythm, formal instruction
on their usage is not provided. Some AEDs offer
voice prompts in Spanish to guide users through
the process, but language barriers persist.
Additionally, not all 911 call centers have
Spanish-speaking dispatchers, compounding the
challenges faced by Hispanic communities.
Immigration status and mistrust of law
enforcement also deter some individuals from
calling 911. Furthermore, concerns about legal
repercussions and inadvertently causing harm to
someone in cardiac arrest contribute to hesitancy
among Latinos. The CPR trainers address these
concerns by reviewing "Good Samaritan" laws,
which protect individuals who volunteer to aid
injured or sick individuals in emergencies.
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Offering CPR training in Spanish not only
demystifies the process but also raises awareness
and reduces uneasiness. The Latino Health
Initiative recognizes that tailoring CPR
education to specific cultures is crucial, as
each community has unique needs, fears, and
concerns. Dr. Luna's team has witnessed positive
responses to their CPR training, and they are now
planning a similar initiative in Black
communities. Maggie del Valle, a CPR trainer in
Los Angeles, acknowledges that using both chest
compressions and rescue breaths can yield optimal
results, but she understands that hands-only CPR
is a viable option for those concerned about
disease transmission or uncomfortable with giving
breaths.
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Formal certification is not required to perform
hands-on CPR, as the American Heart Association
highlights. To perform this technique on a
teenager or adult, place the heel of one hand in
the center of the chest, place the other hand on
top, and interlock the fingers. Push hard and
fast at a pace of 100 to 120 compressions per
minute. Online videos, including Spanish-language
resources, are also available for further
guidance. The positive response to CPR training
within the Latino Health Initiative demonstrates
the importance of empowering communities with
life-saving skills. Plans are now underway to
extend similar initiatives to Black communities,
recognizing the need for tailored approaches to
address diverse cultural needs, fears, and
concerns.
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Source https//www.heart.org/en/news/2023/06/01/f
ear-and-language-barriers-keep-some-latino-people-
from-performing-cpr L earn, Enjoy, and Save
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