The American Heart Association in Syracuse is raising awareness in the first week of June on how residents can prepare themselves during National CPR and AED Awareness week. Data shows that only about 37 percent of bystanders currently aid to help someone they don’t know suffering a heart attack.
Some people are hesitant to use mouth to mouth CPR, unless they’re trained. Spokesperson Kristy Smorol says that’s why hands-only CPR is perfect to learn for an immediate response.
”If you see a teen or adult collapse, call 911. And then push hard and fast in the center of the chest until help arrives. What that does is you are essentially acting as the heart; you are pumping heart for that person whose heart just stopped. So you are keeping that blood circulating.”
As the summer season is about to unfold, travelers can learn hands-only CPR at 35 select US airports by watching a short video.
”These kiosks are in airports, places like Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare, if you have a lay-over in one of these airports during your summer travels, find one of those kiosks.”
About 350,000 people suffer heart attacks outside of the hospital every year and only ten percent survive but, CPR substantially increases their odds of living. The Heart Association is also emphasizing how important worksite wellness is.
”We aim for 30 minutes a day, but that can be five minutes here and five minutes there. It can be a ten minute walk at lunch. I have an alarm on my watch that reminds me to get up at least once an hour.”
The American Heart Association is holding its “Executive Wellness Summit” on Wednesday from 7:30 AM to 3 PM at the Double Tree Hotel on Route 298 in East Syracuse.
