Celebrate the First National CPR/AED Awareness Week, June 1-7

In December 2007, Congress declared the first week of June each year as National CPR/AED Awareness Week. June 1-7, 2008 will mark the first National CPR and AED Awareness Week with the goal of encourage states, cities and towns to establish organized programs that provide CPR and AED trainings and increase public access to AEDs.

Doing CPR isn't difficult. It is the one thing that anyone (including older children) can do and possibly save someones life. Witnessed cardiac arrests happen every day in the U.S. If CPR is started immediately and/or an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) are used, the chances of survival increase dramatically. Having performed CPR myself on more than a few people over the years, I can tell you that 5% is better than 0%. At least they have a chance.

So, take time this week to find a CPR class in your area, and take it. I have embedded a video below that teaches "Hands-Only" CPR, but you really need to take a class to get the "feel" of it, so-to-speak, and to gain the confidence to be able to provide someone the necessary circulation with your hands until their heart restarts, or it is helped to start through defibrillation. The CPR class will teach you additonal information.



Remember, ANYONE can have a sudden cardiac arrest, anywhere. And you may be the difference between life and death for that person.