Bradyville Neighborhood Watch Offers Free CPR Class

About 300,000 people suffer sudden cardiac arrest each year in the United States. Only 6-7% survive. This is more than the number who die from AIDS, Alzheimers, assault with firearms, breast cancer, colon cancer, fires, motor vehicle accidents, prostate cancer and suicides combined. In fact, the number of people who die each year from sudden cardiac arrest is seven times the number who die from breast cancer.

It’s a common misconception that sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and heart attack are the same thing. In reality, they are quite different. Understanding the difference could save your life—or the life of someone you love.

CPR training is crucial to give people the basic working knowledge to keep a loved one alive until an emergency medical services team arrives. Just 6 percent of people who experience cardiac arrest survive, but when CPR is administered immediately, the survival rate doubles.

Russ Thomas of The Bradyville Neighborhood Watch announced last week that the organization is offering free cardiopulmonary resuscitation training March 6th. The CPR training will run from 8:30 to 12 noon at the Bradyville Church of Christ, 6079 Dug Hollow Road in Bradyville.

In addition to covering hands on life saving skills the course will also discuss legal considerations and the emotional consideration when dealing with the victim of sudden cardiac arrest.

The course will be taught by instructor Jim Gibbs and certified by the American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) Jim is certified by both the American Red Cross and ASHI to teach and is an instructor trainer for ASHI. His time and the materials for the class are being donated to the Bradyville Neighborhood Watch.