As each year passes, sudden cardiac arrest (“SCA”) becomes a more widely known health condition. In the U.S. alone,  nearly 383,000 out-of-hospital SCA cases occur annually. Approximately 88% occur in a residential setting. SCA strikes without warning. Its signs and symptoms are typically exhibited immediately preceding the event (sudden collapse, lack of pulse, and loss of consciousness).

“It’s truly the first several minutes after a victim goes down that are most critical.  With uninterrupted blood flow to the brain via CPR, the victim’s chances of survival are at least doubled, if not tripled! Being neurologically intact at admission to the E.R. is paramount,” states Joe Hanson, President and Founder of the revolutionary new CPR RsQ Assist device. Mr. Hanson has been in the EMS industry for over 25 years and is passionate about providing products and technologies that save lives.

Today, however, only approximately 32% of cardiac arrest victims receive CPR from a bystander each year. Keeping that percentage in mind, the American Heart Association trains more than 12 million people per year with CPR certification. “With the statistics showing low bystander CPR performance, it is with great hope from Mr. Hanson, as well as the staff at Annuvia that this simple to use device will give rescuers more confidence in the event of SCA and more lives will be saved,” states Micah Bongberg, President of Annuvia, a national CPR/AED training organization.

The CPR RsQ product has been available since April 15, 2014.  “The inspiration was to create a simple, easy to use device that would encourage more people and bystanders to do CPR, resulting in a higher percent of survival for victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest.” And, early evidence offers encouraging results “Success is very subjective but several weeks ago the CPR RsQ Assist was used to save a life” says Hanson.

The most common fear with performing CPR on an individual is that CPR will not be administered effectively and correctly. “This is a rational fear, however, if you step back and think about the entire scenario, how effective is NOT performing CPR at all?” states Bongberg.

Mr. Hanson’s CPR RsQ Assist device not only guides a rescuer through the steps of CPR, but also assists in making sure compressions are at an effective pace with voice prompts while the rescuer delivers therapy. The CPR RsQ Assist is FDA approved and available for purchase without needing any specific training or a physician’s prescription.

CPR RsQ Assist may remove the hesitation from CPR. After 911 is called, the device should be placed on the center of the victim’s chest. Responders then can begin administering hard and fast compressions, while holding onto the easy-to-grip, non-slip handle. The device’s metronome uses the American Heart Association’s 2010 guidelines, recommending a rate of 100 compressions per minute, at a depth of approximately two inches down on the patient’s chest, for cycles of 2 minutes. This device also allows you to perform CPR more comfortably without getting as tired as you normally would during a rescue.

“It is a simple, easy to use device that can turn a bystander into a Life Saver!” says Hanson.