National CPR/AED Awareness Week; American Red Cross encourages everyone to learn CPR/AED

Sudden cardiac arrest claims the lives of more than 166,000 people in this country every year. Sadly, an astonishing 94 percent of people who suffer sudden cardiac arrest die before reaching a hospital. If ordinary people act immediately with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), instead of just waiting for help to arrive, many thousands of lives can be saved every year.

It can take emergency personnel precious minutes to arrive on the scene. For every minute without defibrillation, a sudden cardiac arrest victim’s chance of surviving drops. It is critical for as many people as possible to be trained to perform CPR and know how to use an AED until advanced help arrives.

American Red Cross training in CPR and proper use of an AED can provide people with the knowledge and confidence to respond during an emergency situation with skills that can help save a life. Red Cross recommends that at least one person in every household and place of business receive this training. Over the past year, the Rock River Chapter has trained over 7,000 men, women and children in lifesaving skills in CPR, First Aid and AED.

Congress has set aside June 1-7 as the first annual National CPR/AED Awareness Week to spotlight how lives can be saved if more Americans know CPR and how to use an AED. In the declaration, Congress is asking states and municipalities to make AEDs more publicly accessible. During this week, Red Cross chapters across the country will conduct CPR/AED classes and demonstrations, host events, and provide educational information on the importance of CPR and AED training. Red Cross joins the American Heart Association and National Safety Council in recognizing the significance of this week.

Last year 11 million people took Red Cross health and safety training. Whether you want to be able to help a loved one at home, help someone in your work place, or use your training professionally, Red Cross can give you the knowledge and skills to be able to help. To find out more, contact the Rock River Chapter at: (815) 963-8471. Sign up before Sunday, June 8, to receive a 10% discount on any training course that includes an AED segment.

See the the links below for more on AED and CPR:

http://www.redcross.org/preparedness/BRCR/stories.html

http://www.redcross.org/preparedness/BRCR/gettrained.html

Rock River Chapter Wants to Know: Do you Know a Hero?

Red music festival will recognize everyday people doing extraordinary things.

For more than 90 years, the Rock River Chapter of the American Red Cross has been a hero for thousands of people in our community; lending aid during times of disaster, seeing to the welfare of military families and providing citizens with lifesaving CPR and First Aid skills. Now, the Rock River Chapter is seeking nominations by community members for someone who has saved a life.

Whether they are a police officer, firefighter, medical professional or an “everyday Joe”, the Rock River Chapter wants to recognize these heroes for demonstrating the mission of the American Red Cross. Through the actions of your neighbors numerous lives are saved every year thanks to their fast response, and by being equipped with the life-saving skills taught by the Red Cross. The nomination form can be found at: www.rockriver.redcross.org. All forms must be returned to the Rock River Chapter by Wednesday, June 18 to be considered by the Rock’n for the Red event committee.

For more information on Rock’n for the Red or how to become trained in First Aid/CPR feel free to contact the Chapter at: (815) 963-8471.