DALLAS — A new survey conducted by the American Heart Association suggests that increased visibility of the need for CPR has had a positive impact on people’s willingness to respond if they are bystanders in a cardiac emergency.
However, it cautions there remains a significant gap in awareness that emphasizes an urgent need for collaboration between governments, communities, businesses and the media to promote and provide lifesaving training.
To help close this gap, the American Heart Association said it is building a Nation of Lifesavers, which it calls heroes-in-waiting with the knowledge, skills and confidence to perform CPR and become a vital link in the chain of survival and making communities healthier and safer.
According to the American Heart Association, fewer than half of people suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrest receive the immediate CPR they need before professional help arrives. February marks American Heart Month, and at 100, the American Heart Association is seeking to raise awareness of this critical need so that every family knows how to respond and be ready to save the lives of loved ones.
“During American Heart Month, we’re celebrating all the bold hearts who have made an impact in saving lives through CPR,” said Nancy Brown, American Heart Association chief executive officer. “At the American Heart Association, it’s our vision to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Children as young as nine can learn CPR and since nearly three out of four cardiac arrests that do not happen in a hospital, occur in the home, it’s critical that all families know how to perform CPR.”
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. During February — American Heart Month — the association is offering four ways to learn CPR and join the “Nation of Lifesavers,” as an individual, family, organization or community at heart.org/nation.
- Watch online. Learn the basics of Hands-Only CPR with this instructional video and share it on social media with #NationofLifesavers. Hands-Only CPR has just two simple steps, performed in this order: 1) Call 911 if you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse; and 2) Push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of a familiar song that has 100 to 120 beats per minute. The American Heart Association has created a Spotify playlist that includes over 100 songs that match the beat.
- Learn at home. Learn basic lifesaving skills in about 20 minutes from the comfort and privacy of home with the CPR Anytime kits.
- Take a course. Get a group together and find a nearby class to learn the lifesaving skills of CPR, first aid, and AED.
- Turn employees into lifesavers. Help make your workplace and community safer one step at a time by forming a Heart Walk team and committing to CPR training for your employees.
To learn more or find a training, visit heart.org/nation.