Press release from the City of Fort Wayne:
Free Hands-only CPR Training coming to City’s North side, October 3rd
Red Cross blood drive, public safety agency demonstrations part of morning’s activities
The Three Rivers CPR Task Force is bringing free, hands-only CPR training to Brookside Community Church, 6102 Evard Road, Oct. 3.
The one-hour, non-certified class, offered five times that Saturday, will train anyone ages 12 and older how to give effective chest compressions – using manikins or special kits – to adults who have suffered a heart attack.
This is the fourth time the City of Fort Wayne, Three Rivers Ambulance Authority, American Red Cross, Focus on Health, Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health, Parkview Health and Lutheran Health Network have offered this non-certified training. Almost 500 people have learned hands-only CPR through the Three Rivers CPR Task Force’s Don’t Miss a Beat program since it began nearly a year ago.
“In less than 60 minutes, Don’t Miss a Beat will teach how to save a life. Past participants have told us overwhelmingly that they feel better prepared to respond to a cardiac emergency,” said Mayor Tom Henry. “Most of us never expect to use this skill, but you never know when a family member, neighbor or complete stranger might need your help.”
Classes start at 9, 9:30, 10, 10:30 and 11a.m. To register for the class, go on-line or call 427-1164.
Compression or hands-only CPR focuses on chest compressions only, no breaths, to keep blood moving in an adult victim whose heart has stopped beating. It has become increasingly popular in recent years as research has shown it to be effective in helping to save lives.
“We have designed Don’t Miss a Beat class for people who have never taken a CPR class or those who want to brush up on their skills,” said Erin McDonald, American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana’s Director of Preparedness & Safety Solutions. “Our volunteers are certified CPR instructors who will make sure the class is fun yet instructive. You will know how to give life-saving chest compressions when you leave Brookside Church Oct. 3.”
Anyone completing the training Oct. 3 will receive a “Bring a Friend for Free” coupon for those paying for a CPR certification class through the American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana.
The buy one, get one free certificate, a $50 value, can be used for the Red Cross’s adult, child, infant CPR training class through June 30, 2010. The certificate does not have to be used by the person who attends the October training.
The Red Cross will also accept blood donations from 8 a.m. to noon that day at the church. To schedule a blood donation appointment, call 800-GIVE-LIFE.
Demonstrations from local public safety agencies are also scheduled to be there.
During 2005 and 2006, TRAA responded to 452 cardiac arrest cases that happened outside a medical setting, according to numbers from the Emergency Medical Services Foundation here in Fort Wayne. Of those, only 17 percent of victims received bystander CPR.
“In 2008, Fort Wayne had about a 37 percent save rate for cardiac arrests, which is impressive as compared to national statistics, but we can increase the number of survivors if more people knew CPR,” said Gary Booher, TRAA Executive Director. “Early bystander CPR, in addition to early access to 911 emergency dispatch, first responders with AED capabilities in 4 minutes and advanced life support-capable ambulance in 8 minutes are the major components necessary for greatest survivability, according to research.”
For more information, call (260) 427-1164 or e-mail.