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If someone collapsed after going into cardiac arrest, would you be prepared to help? For nearly half of Americans, the answer is no. A new survey from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds many Americans are ill-prepared to help in emergency situations . The national poll of 1,005 people found that only 51% of Americans feel they would be able to perform hands-only CPR in an emergency.

When it comes to serious bleeding, 49% said they could step in to help. And 56% of survey participants said they can stop choking. "Before emergency responders arrive, it's up to us as the public to initiate care," said Nicholas Kman, MD, emergency medicine physician at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center and clinical professor of emergency medicine at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.



"For every minute that passes, the chance of survival drops, and if they do survive, there's less chance of a good neurologic outcome." According to the American Heart Association, most people who go into cardiac arrest outside of the hospital are at home or in a public area. Between 60% and 80% of them die before reaching the hospital.

Bystander CPR can double or triple survival rates. "We would love the public to learn how to do hands-only CPR and practice the skill of doing CPR every six weeks," Kman said. "Like with any skill, practice builds confidence.

If we don't practice it, we lose that skill." Accidents around the home with knives and saws, car crashes and other traumas can cau.

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