AICARM adheres to

Viva! It is an awareness campaign that aims to spread knowledge of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) maneuvers in Italy. It was born in 2013 thanks to the Italian Resuscitation Council (IRC) that accepted the invitation of the European Union and the European Resuscitation Council (ERC).

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Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an essential life-saving technique in the event of cardiac arrest. It consists of a series of rapid actions: recognize the emergency (person unconscious and not breathing normally), call 112/118, begin chest compressions and, if possible, ventilations. These maneuvers maintain a minimum flow of oxygenated blood to vital organs, reducing the damage caused by the lack of oxygen. CPR is crucial in the first minutes after cardiac arrest, while waiting for advanced help. Learning CPR can make the difference in critical situations.

The chain of survival

The Chain of Survival is a series of actions to take as soon as possible in the event of cardiac arrest. It includes:

1. Rapid emergency recognition and call to 112/118
2. Immediate start of chest compressions and ventilations if possible
3. Early defibrillation
4. Advanced rescue intervention and transport to hospital

Every minute counts: organ damage becomes irreversible in 5-10 minutes without intervention. Anyone close to the victim can start this “relay for life,” performing the first vital actions while waiting for help. The effectiveness of the Chain depends on the readiness of each of its links.

The effectiveness of CPR increases with immediate intervention

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation are essential to survival in cardiac arrest. When started within the first few minutes, these actions can double or triple the chances of survival and significantly reduce the potential for organ damage. Defibrillation within 3-5 minutes of cardiac arrest can save up to 70% of victims with shockable cardiac rhythms. Immediate intervention by bystanders is more effective than professional rescuers who take time to arrive. The first two links in the chain of survival – rapid recognition and immediate CPR – are critical. Using an AED further increases the chances of survival. Learning these techniques is essential: early intervention can save a life and promotes a better recovery for survivors.

AICARM's commitment to CPR

Cardiac arrest is a dramatic event that could happen to anyone but that patients with Cardiomyopathy particularly fear.

AICARM periodically organizes CPR courses for family members so that participants can learn how to save a life, even that of a family member.

The AICARM Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation course begins with a general theoretical introduction and continues with the demonstration, by the instructor, of CPR maneuvers and the use of the semi-automatic external defibrillator (AED). Subsequently, participants are invited to try the resuscitation maneuvers and the use of the defibrillator several times on the manikin.

Raising awareness among young people about CPR

In full coherence with its mission to train, educate and raise awareness in the entire community on issues related to cardiomyopathies, AICARM has allocated specific resources to the provision of courses on CPR techniques and use of the defibrillator, both for patients' families and for schools.

A pilot project to raise awareness among young people about CPR practices in the Milan area has recently been launched, which, thanks to a dedicated donation, will allow training of approximately 250 high school students in the 2024/2025 school year.