The sound of screeching tires and crunching metal caught Randy Frank’s attention. Frank, Provo’s American Red Cross director of emergency services, called 911 and ran to the scene. In one of the cars, there was a woman about 35 years old who appeared to be unconscious.

“I was about a mile behind the accident, so I saw it happen,” said Frank, a retired police officer of nearly 16 years. “I went over to her and found that she wasn’t breathing.”

Frank began CPR until the ambulance arrived to take her to the hospital. Because the woman received CPR right away, she was able to recover.

No one can know when CPR will be needed, but it’s a skill that can be the difference between life and death.

“Emergencies present themselves without announcement,” Frank said. “That’s why it’s very important, no matter where you’re at, that you need to know first aid and CPR. It was a combination of tools, knowledge and skills that saved that lady’s life.”

CPR, which stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a combination of rescue breathing and chest compressions. Compressions make the blood circulate when the heart is not beating. Given together, rescue breathing and chest compressions artificially take over the functions of the lungs and heart.

But Alan Graden, safety training assistant for Risk Management and Safety, said CPR alone isn't enough to save someone's life.

"Contrary to popular belief, CPR is not given to restart the heart," Graden said. "It is actually a very inefficient method for pumping blood throughout the body. CPR does maintain enough blood-flow to keep the brain functioning so that the victim, if revived by advanced life support techniques, has a better chance of return to normal life."

It takes four to six minutes for Provo paramedics to respond to an emergency and one to two minutes for campus Emergency Medical Services, said Sam McKnight, EMS faculty advisor for BYU.

“When someone’s heart stops or they’re not breathing, providing CPR, even for a minute, can really make the difference,” he said.

But if a person doesn’t receive CPR until EMS arrives, it could be too late.

“Within four minutes, the brain without oxygen will be brain dead,” said Steve Clark, head lifeguard and supervisor for the Provo Recreation Center. “CPR helps give them the necessary oxygen until more advanced care arrives.”

There are myths that those susceptible to cardiac arrest are people who are older, overweight or have had previous symptoms. But this is not the case. Anyone, at anytime may need CPR.

Causes of cardiac arrest include respiratory arrest, electrocution, drowning, chocking and trauma. It can also occur without any known cause.

According to the American Heart Association, cardiac arrest victims may or may not have diagnosed heart disease. It’s estimated about 95 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before reaching the hospital.

Death can occur within minutes if the victim receives no treatment. If no bystander CPR is provided, a victim’s chances of survival are reduced by 7 to 10 percent with every minute of delay until defibrillation.

“There’s not an age requirement to have health issues,” Frank said. “You may have an ingrown toe nail. That’s your health issue today, but tomorrow you may have a cardiac arrest. You don’t know when your heart is going to decide it’s just time. Every time you turn around, there’s a hazard. The question is, are you going to be prepared for it?”

Although she has been certified for 30 years, Nikki Miller has never needed to use CPR. But being prepared is better than being sorry, said Miller.

“It’s one of those things that if you don’t have it when you need it, you’ll kick yourself for not having it and you may be sorry for the rest of your life,” Miller said. “It’s just a precaution, just like wearing a seat belt or having an air bag.”

Health science professor Alton Thygerson, who teaches CPR on campus,said it’s worth taking the certification course just so you’ll be prepared for any situation.

“Most of those trained in CPR will never have an occasion to use their skills, but the ones who are confronted with a cardiac arrest will be grateful for the knowledge and skills they acquired,” Thygerson said. “If you do not attempt CPR on a person needing it, you may have guilt feelings for the rest of your life.”