Learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can quite possibly mean the difference between life and death for someone suffering from Sudden Cardiac Arrest or other medical emergency.
In December 2007, Congress passed a bill designating the first week of June as National CPR/AED Awareness Week. This resolution shines a national spotlight on how important is it for all Americans to learn critical lifesaving skills such as how to perform CPR and how to use an AED and the need to increase public access to AEDs.
The CPR/AED Awareness resolution gives a large boost to accomplishing the Red Cross vision of having all Americans situated within four minutes of an AED devise and someone trained to use it. Studies show that for every minute defibrillation is delayed; there is an approximate 10 percent decrease in the likelihood of resuscitation.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest claims the lives of more than 300,000 people in the United States each year. Knowing what to do if it happens to someone you know or live is critical to saving a life. The more people who are trained #- the more lives saved.
This June 1 through 7, the Cayuga County Red Cross encourages everyone to learn these important skills that could someday save a life. To promote instruction, the chapter will offer six free CPR/AED classes during the celebratory period. The chapter has received funding from a local foundation to support the free classes and a grant from the National Red Cross for 30 AED trainers.
“The Red Cross wants the public to know that everyone has the power to save a life. At least one person in every household and on every office floor should be trained and certified in first aid and CPR/AED,” said Armin Simpson, director of health and safety at the chapter. “On average, it takes emergency personnel 10 minutes to arrive on scene. For someone who is choking or has stopped breathing, that may be too late. By learning simple rescue skills, you can go from being a helpless bystander to a person with the ability to take control and help someone during an emergency.”
The local spokesman for CPR/AED Week 2008 is David Newert, a 21-year veteran EMT and firefighter for the city of Auburn. Born and raised in Auburn, David loves his job because he enjoys helping people. He is stationed at the Clark Street fire station. Outside his “day job,” he teaches CPR/FA/AED for American Heart. Prior to becoming an EMT/Firefighter in 1979, David was a Paramedic for the Eastern Ambulance of Syracuse, but was stationed in Auburn.
David has assisted his fellow firefighters saving several lives during his 21 years as an EMT/Firefighter. His most recent experience was a 911 call from the home of a local family member because their loved one needed emergency attention. Upon arrival at the home and realizing no pulse evident and that the patient had gone into cardiac arrest, CPR was performed followed by activation of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). With the use of the AED, the patient regained consciousness and subsequently made a full recovery in the hospital.
“I have saved lives using CPR and an AED. You can, too. Take a Red Cross class in celebration of CRP/AED Awareness Week or at some other time during the next few months,” he said. “It is critical for everyone #- not just firefighters and EMT #- to have these lifesaving skills. You never know when they will be needed.”
It is estimated that it takes eight to 10 minutes for first responder (911) to reach a victim. Therefore, it is essential for members of the community to know how to jump into action.
Help the Cayuga County Red Cross accomplish a nationwide goal of reaching 250,000 people with lifesaving information during the week of June 1 through 7. The following free CPR/AED training and awareness events open to the public:
• Monday, June 2, 3 to 6 p.m. Infant/Child CPR/AED and 6 to 9 p.m. Adult CPR/AED
• Tuesday, June 3, 3 to 6 p.m. Adult CPR/AED and 6 to 9 p.m. Infant/Child CPR/AED
• Thursday, June 5, 3 to 6 p.m. Infant/Child CPR/AED and 6 to 9 p.m. Adult CPR/AED
Pre-registration is required for any of the free CPR/AED classes due to planning purposes. Participants can sign up for both sessions, will also receive a Red Cross CPR/AED certification and may apply for free college credit to Onondaga Community College through a simple application form.
If you cannot attend one of the free classes during Awareness Week, find out how you can have the power to save a life by contacting the Cayuga County Chapter for the calendar of classes at 252-9596, e-mail chapter@ccredcross.org or visit the “Be Red Cross Ready” Web site for a free presentation. The chapter offers a wide range of health and safety courses throughout the year including first aid, life guarding, babysitting, pet first aid and more.
Susan Marteney is executive director of the Cayuga County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
The CPR/AED Awareness resolution gives a large boost to accomplishing the Red Cross vision of having all Americans situated within four minutes of an AED devise and someone trained to use it. Studies show that for every minute defibrillation is delayed; there is an approximate 10 percent decrease in the likelihood of resuscitation.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest claims the lives of more than 300,000 people in the United States each year. Knowing what to do if it happens to someone you know or live is critical to saving a life. The more people who are trained #- the more lives saved.
This June 1 through 7, the Cayuga County Red Cross encourages everyone to learn these important skills that could someday save a life. To promote instruction, the chapter will offer six free CPR/AED classes during the celebratory period. The chapter has received funding from a local foundation to support the free classes and a grant from the National Red Cross for 30 AED trainers.
“The Red Cross wants the public to know that everyone has the power to save a life. At least one person in every household and on every office floor should be trained and certified in first aid and CPR/AED,” said Armin Simpson, director of health and safety at the chapter. “On average, it takes emergency personnel 10 minutes to arrive on scene. For someone who is choking or has stopped breathing, that may be too late. By learning simple rescue skills, you can go from being a helpless bystander to a person with the ability to take control and help someone during an emergency.”
The local spokesman for CPR/AED Week 2008 is David Newert, a 21-year veteran EMT and firefighter for the city of Auburn. Born and raised in Auburn, David loves his job because he enjoys helping people. He is stationed at the Clark Street fire station. Outside his “day job,” he teaches CPR/FA/AED for American Heart. Prior to becoming an EMT/Firefighter in 1979, David was a Paramedic for the Eastern Ambulance of Syracuse, but was stationed in Auburn.
David has assisted his fellow firefighters saving several lives during his 21 years as an EMT/Firefighter. His most recent experience was a 911 call from the home of a local family member because their loved one needed emergency attention. Upon arrival at the home and realizing no pulse evident and that the patient had gone into cardiac arrest, CPR was performed followed by activation of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). With the use of the AED, the patient regained consciousness and subsequently made a full recovery in the hospital.
“I have saved lives using CPR and an AED. You can, too. Take a Red Cross class in celebration of CRP/AED Awareness Week or at some other time during the next few months,” he said. “It is critical for everyone #- not just firefighters and EMT #- to have these lifesaving skills. You never know when they will be needed.”
It is estimated that it takes eight to 10 minutes for first responder (911) to reach a victim. Therefore, it is essential for members of the community to know how to jump into action.
Help the Cayuga County Red Cross accomplish a nationwide goal of reaching 250,000 people with lifesaving information during the week of June 1 through 7. The following free CPR/AED training and awareness events open to the public:
• Monday, June 2, 3 to 6 p.m. Infant/Child CPR/AED and 6 to 9 p.m. Adult CPR/AED
• Tuesday, June 3, 3 to 6 p.m. Adult CPR/AED and 6 to 9 p.m. Infant/Child CPR/AED
• Thursday, June 5, 3 to 6 p.m. Infant/Child CPR/AED and 6 to 9 p.m. Adult CPR/AED
Pre-registration is required for any of the free CPR/AED classes due to planning purposes. Participants can sign up for both sessions, will also receive a Red Cross CPR/AED certification and may apply for free college credit to Onondaga Community College through a simple application form.
If you cannot attend one of the free classes during Awareness Week, find out how you can have the power to save a life by contacting the Cayuga County Chapter for the calendar of classes at 252-9596, e-mail chapter@ccredcross.org or visit the “Be Red Cross Ready” Web site for a free presentation. The chapter offers a wide range of health and safety courses throughout the year including first aid, life guarding, babysitting, pet first aid and more.
Susan Marteney is executive director of the Cayuga County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
