1. A human heart will cease beating within four minutes after breathing stops.
2. Permanent brain damage can occur within four to six minutes after breathing stops.
3. The survival rates of individuals suffering cardiac arrest decrease by approximately 7 to 10% every minute that defibrillation is delayed.
4. The use of an Automated External Defibrillator can save the lives of 30% or more of those who suffer cardiac arrest. When defibrillation is delayed, survival rates decrease to approximately 50% at 5 minutes. The earlier defibrillation occurs, the better the prognosis.
5. More than a third of Canadian deaths each year are attributed to coronary disease, which makes it the leading cause of death in Canada.
6. In most Canadian cities, the average ambulance response time is eight to twelve minutes.
7. Injuries are the leading cause of death for Canadians between the ages of 1 and 44, and kill more children under the age of 19 than all other causes of death combined.
8. Each year there are over 2 million Canadians injured un-intentionally. This translates into the statistic of 6,000 unintentional injuries per day or 250 per hour of each day.
9. Research shows that, on average, every injury in Canada costs $4,000 in direct and indirect costs.
10. For an injured victim, immediate first aid can make the difference between complete recovery and permanent disability.
11. Each year, injuries leave 47,000 Canadians either partially or totally disabled.
12. Research shows that Canadians who have first aid training can reduce their own personal injuries by as much as 40%.
13. Research also shows that 90% of injuries are predictable and preventable.
14.The Canadian Red Cross and other well recognized training agencies train Canadians in first aid and CPR across the country, enabling them to prevent injuries, and think, recognize and react appropriately in emergency situations.