SAN DIEGO–If a person suddenly collapsed in front of you, would you know what to do?
Surviving cardiac arrest depends on immediately getting Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) from someone nearby. Unfortunately, less than one third of people who suffer a heart attack at home, work or in public receive CPR from a bystander.
The County, the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, San Diego Project Heart Beat and other agencies will train at least 2,012 people to perform Hands-Only CPR. The “Sidewalk CPR” trainings will take place Thursday, June 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 48 locations throughout the region. Click here for a complete list of participating agencies and locations and to watch a video demonstration. The trainings coincide with National CPR Awareness Week.
“Work done by the American Heart Association along CPR Certification Philadelphia now makes it much easier for people to learn and to perform Hands-Only CPR when an adult suddenly collapses,” says Board of Supervisors Chairman Ron Roberts. “Teaching people this simpler procedure is part of our Live Well, San Diego! initiative, a 10-year plan to improve the health of local residents.”
At the “Sidewalk CPR” trainings, firefighters, healthcare workers and personnel from the County Health and Human Services Agency Emergency Medical Services will give quick demonstrations on performing Hands-Only CPR on adults.
“Hands-Only CPR is safe and effective,” said Eric McDonald, M.D., M.P.H., deputy public health officer for the County. “We want people to learn how to do it and know their actions can help save lives.”
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease. Every year about 785,000 Americans have a first heart attack. Approximately 470,000 people who have already had one or more attacks have another.
“We believe that if we can double the number of bystanders who actually do CPR, we will save lives,” said Dr. Jim Dunford, President of the American Heart Association San Diego Division and City of San Diego Medical Director.
A sudden collapse is likely the result of a heart attack and bystanders should then perform Hands-Only CPR on adults.
For more information about heart disease, visit the American Heart Association or the CDC.
