The ground shakes violently beneath your feet. Windows shatter, buildings sway, and suddenly, the world you know is crumbling. Or maybe it’s a wildfire; thick smoke fills the air, making it impossible to breathe. Perhaps a flood has swept through your neighborhood, and someone has just been pulled from the water, lifeless.
In these moments, survival isn’t just about waiting for help; it’s about taking action.
Like much of California, Fresno is no stranger to earthquakes, wildfires, and flash floods. When disaster strikes, emergency responders are often overwhelmed, roads are blocked, and medical help might be minutes or even hours away. But, CPR can be the difference between life and death, and in a crisis, those who know how to perform it become unexpected heroes.
If someone collapses right in front of you during a disaster, would you know what to do? Get a CPR Certification from CPR Certification Fresno and be ready when it matters most. Someone’s survival could depend on it. This article explores the critical role of CPR during natural disasters in Fresno, why it matters, and how you can be prepared when every second counts.
How CPR Saves Lives During Natural Disasters
During a disaster, people may experience cardiac arrest, drowning, smoke inhalation, or traumatic injuries that cause them to stop breathing. Immediate CPR keeps oxygen flowing to the brain and vital organs, increasing the chances of survival until professional help arrives.
1. CPR During Earthquakes: Reviving the Trapped and Injured
The ground trembles. Buildings collapse. Cries for help echo through the dust-filled air. In the chaos, a man is pulled from the rubble, unconscious, motionless. His heart has stopped.
What happens next determines if he lives or dies.
CPR must start immediately. Every second without oxygen increases brain damage. Every minute without compressions drops survival chances by ten percent.
Fact: In major earthquakes, bystanders perform most life-saving rescues. In the crucial moments before paramedics arrive, CPR can double or triple survival chances.
How to Help in an Earthquake:
- Ensure the area is safe before assisting.
- Check for breathing and pulse.
- If absent, begin chest compressions immediately.
- Continue until emergency responders arrive.
2. Wildfires and CPR: Smoke Inhalation Can Stop Breathing
Wildfires move fast, destroy everything in their path, and leave behind an invisible killer, smoke.
Thick, toxic air fills the lungs. Victims choke, collapse, and suffocate before flames even reach them. Smoke inhalation can shut down breathing within minutes.
CPR can keep oxygen flowing until emergency crews arrive.
Tip: If someone collapses due to smoke inhalation:
- Check for breathing. If they’re unconscious but still breathing, move them to fresh air immediately.
- If they’re not breathing, start CPR right away.
- If available, use a cloth or mask to protect yourself from smoke exposure.
Survival depends on quick action. Without CPR, oxygen deprivation can cause permanent brain damage or death.
3. CPR and Floods: Preventing Death by Drowning
Floodwaters rise fast, trapping people in cars, homes, and streets. Drowning can happen in seconds. Even after a rescue, water in the lungs can cause secondary drowning, stopping breathing minutes or even hours later.
CPR for drowning is different from standard CPR. Here’s what to do:
- Step 1: Begin rescue breaths first. Unlike cardiac arrest victims, drowning victims need oxygen immediately. Give two full breaths before chest compressions.
- Step 2: If there’s no response, start 30 chest compressions followed by two more breaths.
- Step 3: Continue until help arrives or the person starts breathing on their own.
Fact: Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide. Knowing CPR can turn a hopeless situation into a second chance at life.
CPR in Disasters: Why Fresno Residents Must Be Prepared
In a large-scale disaster, emergency responders may take hours to reach victims. When hospitals are overwhelmed, survival often depends on community members stepping in to help.
Why You Need CPR Training Before Disaster Strikes
- Disasters overwhelm 911 services. If the lines are busy or roads are blocked, you may be the only help available.
- Medical attention may be delayed. A trained bystander can keep someone alive until professional help arrives.
- Survival depends on immediate action. In cardiac arrest, chances of survival drop 10% per minute without CPR.
Takeaway: Being CPR certified in Fresno means you’re ready to act when seconds matter most.
How to Perform CPR in an Emergency Situation
Disasters create chaotic environments, so knowing how to react quickly is crucial.
Step-by-Step CPR Guide
- Check the Scene – Is it safe to approach? Remove the person from danger if possible.
- Check for Response – Shake their shoulders and shout, “Are you okay?”
- Call 911 – If the person isn’t breathing, get emergency help.
- Start Chest Compressions – Place hands in the center of the chest and push hard and fast (100-120 per minute).
- Give Rescue Breaths (If Trained) – Tilt the head, lift the chin, and give two breaths after every 30 compressions.
- Continue CPR – Don’t stop until help arrives or the person regains consciousness.
Pro Tip: If an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is available, use it as soon as possible.
Final Thoughts: Be Ready to Save a Life
Disasters happen without warning. In those critical moments, there’s no time to hesitate, no second chance to prepare. The difference between life and death could be YOU.
Whether it’s an earthquake, wildfire, or flood, knowing CPR means you can act immediately. You won’t have to stand by, helpless; you’ll have the skills to keep someone alive until professional help arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions About CPR and Certification Services
1. How Often Should I Renew My CPR Certification in Fresno?
Most CPR certifications last two years, but refresher courses ensure you stay confident in an emergency. Get certified or renew at CPR Certification Fresno.
2. Can I Perform CPR if I Haven’t Been Formally Trained?
Yes! Hands-only CPR (chest compressions without breaths) is better than doing nothing. But for full CPR skills, take a course at CPR Certification Fresno.
3. Is CPR Different for Children and Infants in Emergencies?
Yes. For infants, use two fingers instead of both hands, and give gentle breaths. Training at CPR Certification Fresno offers training for all age groups.