9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital die. In most of those cases, bystander CPR was not performed. I have seen this first hand.

 

One warm June evening after work, I went out for my 3 mile walk around the perimeter of my neighborhood. While passing the corner strip mall, I saw a man down on the ground with a small crowd standing over him. Concerned, I jogged over to see if I could help.

 

While approaching, I asked if anyone had called 911 and was relieved to hear they had. Utlizing my long-retired paramedic skills, I knelt down next to the man, rolled him to his back and did a quick assessment of his ABCs - airway, breathing, circulation. Finding no breathing or pulse, I began hands-only CPR.

I continued compressions until the fire engine arrived and the firefighter/paramedics took over. Once the ambulance arrived, they loaded the man into the rig and left for the hospital. All together, it took 5 to 7 minutes of my day to help. The young couple who had called 911 and who didn't know CPR felt helpless. They said for the sake of their children and loved ones, they were signing up for a class ASAP.  

 

Cardiac arrests happen at work, in homes, on athletic fields and in neighborhoods everywhere, and the readiness of our community can be the difference between life and death. ​

 

It's time to unite, take action, and save lives. Every dollar donated, means more people trained in lifesaving CPR, more research and more lifesaving moments for everyone. Together, we can turn bystanders into lifesavers.​

 

I Walk to Save Lives. Pelp me reach my goal today.​