    
Press release from the City:
Free Hands-only CPR Training coming back to Public Safety Academy, May 2
One-hour non-certified class available to anyone 12 and olderMayor Tom Henry in cooperation with the Three Rivers CPR Task Force will offer free hands-only CPR training as part of “Don’t Miss a Beat” at the Regional Public Safety Academy, 7602 Patriot Crossing, May 2.
The one-hour class, offered five times that Saturday, will train community members 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 second time the City and 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. In October, more than 200 people were trained how to use hands-only CPR.
“CPR is something you hope you’ll never use, but that doesn’t negate the need to know how to do it. We are offering these classes again because I want Fort Wayne residents to be ready and prepared to save a life,” said Mayor Henry. “Our classes are fun, interactive and informative. Our participants from last fall told us overwhelmingly that they enjoyed the class, and it made them feel comfortable on how to perform hands-only CPR.”
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.
Anyone completing the training May 2 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 December 31, 2009. The certificate does not have to be used by the person who attends the May training.
“The Don’t Miss a Beat class is great for those who have never taken a CPR class before or want to brush up on their skills,” said Erin McDonald, American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana’s Director of Preparedness & Safety Solutions. “We’ve got a whole team of volunteers ready to train hundreds of people May 2, and they will give you personal attention during the class to make sure you know how to perform hands-only CPR when you leave the Academy that day.”
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.”
Click here to register online for the training, or call 427-1164. Registration forms will be sent to City Utilities customers with their April bills.
For more information, call (260) 427-1164 or e-mail.
Thanks to Eric for pointing this out!
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