CPR can save lives. National CPR and AED Awareness Week (the first week in June) is a great time to learn or brush up on this vital skill.
According to the American Heart Association, “about 80 percent of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in private residential settings” and “effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after cardiac arrest, can double a victim’s chance of survival.” CPR is also important as the weather warms and people begin to open their pools for summer fun. In case of drowning, CPR can be the difference between life and death.
But I don’t need statistics to understand the importance of CPR. My daughter was born with a heart condition that required surgery in her first year of life. My maternal grandfather passed from a heart attack before he had the opportunity to see my mom even go to college. And when I was in college, my father had a heart attack, which he thankfully survived.
Parents, caretakers, anyone can learn CPR. Just a few hours can save the life of someone we love.
In addition to traditional classroom courses, the American Heart Association offers a self-directed course, CPR Anytime, perfect for busy families, camps, offices, youth groups, and more. Our friends at Mom Central sent me a CPR Anytime kit so I can do a CPR refresher course right in my home. The infant or child/adult kit comes with an inflatable, reusable mannequin and instructional DVD. In just 22 minutes, you can learn CPR.
And what is 22 minutes in exchange for a lifetime? Especially if that lifetime might your child’s.
