In 2007, Congress designated June 1-7 as National CPR and AED Awareness Week. During this time, we want to highlight the importance of knowing CPR and learning how to use an AED.
Fast Facts
- 70% of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrests (SCA) happen in homes
- About 90% of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die
- Performing CPR immediately can double or triple the chance of the SCA victim’s survival
- For every minute that a victim goes unaided, the chance of survival decreases 10%
- Hands-only CPR (CPR without mouth-to-mouth breaths) has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR when performed on a teen or adult
Bystanders are incredibly vital in saving the life of someone in sudden cardiac arrest. Whether it’s a loved one in your home, a co-worker, or person you don’t even know, you can make a difference by administering CPR immediately until emergency medical services arrive.
What You Can Do
1⃣ Learn hands-only CPR
If you’re interested in learning this valuable life-saving skill, Lafayette Ambulance & Rescue Squad, Inc. will be teaching hands-only CPR at several township events throughout the summer.
- August 7: National Police Night Out
- August 11: Family Fun Day at the Upper Merion Farmers Market
- September 8: Health & Wellness Fair at the Upper Merion Farmers Market
- October 6: Upper Merion Township’s Community Fair and Fall Fest
- October 13: Fall Festival at the Upper Merion Farmers Market
2⃣ Download the PulsePoint Apps
Are you already trained in CPR? The Montgomery County Department of Public Safety has taken steps to improve the chances of survival for people who suffer a sudden cardiac arrest. When you download the PulsePoint app, you will be notified if anyone within a quarter-mile of your location has suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. You will be given the location of the victim, along with the location of the nearest Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), so you can perform CPR until the ambulance arrives.
Learn more about the PulsePoint Respond app and the PulsePoint AED app by watching this video or going to Montgomery County’s website.
3⃣ Become trained in CPR and the use of AEDs
A number of non-profit organizations provide CPR and AED courses specifically designed for laypeople. You can learn these life-saving skills by signing up for a class online.
More Resources
You can find instructional videos, articles, and printables on the American Red Cross and American Heart Association‘s websites.