The American Heart Association says 9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital die. In most of those cases, bystander CPR was not performed. But we can change this.
I was one of the lucky ones. In 2019, at the age of 43, I died from a sudden cardiac arrest while playing basketball with friends. Luckily, they started CPR and mouth to mouth immediately and continued until the emergency services arrived and took over. After 30 minutes of CPR (and getting hit with an AED multiple times) I was resuscitated. This year the AHA is promoting Hands Only CRP, to which I owe my life.
If you are ever in this situation, act. My friend had never received CPR training. Ever! That didn't stop him. He immediately jumped in, did his best (from what he's see in the movies I'm sure) and I'm alive.
Six months later I was back playing basketball and soccer. Six years later and I'm still living a vibrant and active life. I am very blessed and lucky.
I walk to celebrate the joy and privilege of life.
I walk to celebrate the time I have with my wife and my children.
I walk because I can. After being dead for 30 minutes, many thought that I may not walk again.
I walk to support the American Heart Association.
I walk in hopes that someone else out there will celebrate the same blessed outcome as I have.
Please join me and walk with me.
Please feel free to reach out and ask me anything.
Please consider donating to the American Heart Association.
Lastly, challenge and encourage you to take CPR and AED training. You could save a life.
