You Could Be a Life Saver
We never plan for a medical emergency—and that’s why learning CPR is so important. Consider:
- 80 percent of cardiac arrests happen in the home. By knowing CPR, you could be the person who saves the life of a family member or friend.
- Over 200,000 people die of sudden cardiac arrest every year. Twenty-five percent of those deaths could be prevented if someone had performed immediate CPR.
- Don’t assume paramedics can arrive on time to save a loved one. Once someone’s heart stops beating, you have only four to six minutes until brain death occurs. Performing CPR provides oxygen to the brain and other vital organs to give the victim the best chance of full recovery after paramedics arrive. If CPR is given within the first four minutes of a cardiac arrest, the victim’s chances of survival double.
The American Red Cross offers CPR training. So this summer, take the time to learn CPR. Have the whole family trained because you never know when you’ll need to be a lifesaver. Find a class here http://www.redcross.org/lp/take-a-class