Free training held on June 7, 2012

In honor of National CPR Week, the American Heart Association (AHA) is collaborating with the Los Angeles Emergency Medical Services Agency to coordinate a countywide CPR program. Emergency healthcare providers, such as fire departments, ambulance companies, hospitals and education programs will be going out into the community to teach residents how to save a life with CPR. This service is free to the public and will be held in various locations across Southern California, including LA County, with the goal of increasing the number of lifesavers in the community.

Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital (PIH) will join these efforts and host free Hands-Only CPR training at 12401 Washington Blvd. in Whittier on June 7, 2012 from 9 am to 12 Noon. CPR instructors will be on hand to demonstrate the basics and proper techniques of Hands-Only CPR, and participants will have the opportunity to practice on mannequins. Training will be done in 15-minute increments, and will not result in CPR certification, but information on how to get certified will be available.

Cardiac arrests are more common than you think, and they can happen to anyone at any time. Nearly 300,000 out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrests occur annually and only 32 percent of cardiac arrest victims get CPR from a bystander. Failure to act in a cardiac emergency can lead to unnecessary deaths. In fact, less than eight percent of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital survive. On the other hand, effective bystander CPR provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival.

Anyone can learn CPR – and the American Heart Association believes that everyone should. Sadly, 70 percent of Americans may feel helpless to act during a cardiac emergency because they either do not know how to administer CPR or their training has significantly lapsed. This alarming statistic could hit close to home, because home is exactly where 80 percent of cardiac arrests occur. Put very simply: The life you save with CPR is mostly likely to be someone you love.

However, by using Hands-Only CPR, bystanders can still act to improve the odds of survival, whether they are trained in conventional CPR or not.

Don’t be a bystander in a cardiac emergency. For more information about the free Hands-Only CPR training, contact Carole Snyder, PIH emergency preparedness coordinator at 562.698.0811 Ext. 17684.

PIH also offers full CPR training year-round through its community education programs. To find upcoming classes, visit www.pih.net/calendar.shtml.

About Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital
Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital (PIH) is a 400-plus bed acute care, non-profit hospital which was founded in 1959 with the community’s trust and support — values retained today by maintaining the highest standards in medical services, in turn making us the area’s acknowledged leading healthcare center. Through commitment to outstanding patient care, respect and compassion for all, responsiveness, integrity, collaboration, innovation, and stewardship, the PIH team is devoted to serving the needs of its community. PIH’s healthcare team is comprised of a stellar clinical staff of almost 600 board-certified physicians representing a broad range of medical specialties, highly qualified nurses, and other exemplary staff. Those who are interested in supporting PIH via a donation, may visit www.pih.net and click the “donate now” button to make a gift to the PIH Foundation.

About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Our mission is to build healthier lives by preventing, treating and defeating these diseases – two of America’s leading killers. We fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit heart.org.

Monique Rodriguez
Public Relations Manager
Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital
12401 Washington Blvd.
Whittier, CA 90602
562.698.0811 Ext. 81127
562.789.5925 fax

This release was published on openPR.