Creating a Generation of Lifesavers in under 30 minutes

 

In a split second, Bert Carey’s afternoon went from a casual conversation with fellow shoppers in a small men’s shop to a life-and-death scenario—and he was the victim, who was saved, ultimately, by a high school student who recently had learned CPR at school. “One minute we were shooting the breeze, and the next minute, I just dropped, right in the middle of a word,” recalled Bert.

The police officer who arrived first on the scene found Derek Raschke, wearing a tuxedo he was trying on for his prom, calmly proving CPR to this stranger. Derek, whose school district requires CPR training before students graduate, is just one powerful example of the American Heart Association’s work to create a generation of lifesavers by making sure students learn CPR before graduation.

Only a small percentage of the 383,000 people who have sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital every year survive unless they receive CPR. Given right away, CPR doubles or triples survival rates. In less than the time it takes to watch a 30 minute TV sitcom, we can give students the skills they need to help save someone’s life with CPR. “I don’t feel like a hero,” said Derek. “I just did what anybody would have done.” Correction: He did what anyone who knows CPR would have done.

In less time then it takes to watch a 30 minute sitcom....don't you think it's time our state took this step? 

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