For America: Learn a Lifesaving Technique
Did you know that up to 80 percent of all out-of hospital
cardiac arrests happen at home? If a member
of your family went into cardiac arrest, would you
know what to do? Being trained in cardiopulmonary
resuscitation, or CPR, can mean the difference
between life and death for someone you know.
Right now, a staggering 95 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims
die before they even make it to a hospital, but a bystander
with CPR training can double someone's chance of survival. If
everyone in your household took an afternoon to learn CPR,
the chances of someone in your family dying of cardiac arrest
would drop dramatically. Arming yourself with the ability to do
CPR means that you may just find yourself on the frontier of
reducing the number of preventable deaths in America. Imagine
having the power to sustain a life until paramedics can arrive!
Learning CPR is simple. Go to the American Heart
Association (AHA) website, , to find a
CPR class near you. Or you can arrange for AHA instructors
to come to your workplace for a CPR demonstration -- a great
option if getting away from work during the day is challenging.
The more people around you who know CPR, the better!
If you don't find a convenient local course, you can even train
in your home with the AHA's Family and Friends CPR
Anytime kit. This training program takes just 22 minutes and
comes complete with a practice mannequin, a training DVD,
and a CPR booklet. For less than $30, everyone in your house
(invite the neighbors, too!) can get training in this essential
lifesaving skill.
Most CPR courses also cover the Heimlich maneuver, but if
not, make sure you have this vital skill under your belt as well.
For quick instruction in the Heimlich maneuver, go to
for easy illustrated techniques. Be sure
to bookmark the Web page for a quick refresher anytime.
One day, you may be the first responder in a life-or-death situation.
If you have the right skills, you can keep someone alive
until an ambulance arrives. Take 22 minutes and empower
yourself with the knowledge needed to save a life.