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The American Red Cross is recognizing CPR and AED Awareness Week, which starts today (Monday, June 1). This annual event highlights the importance of learning CPR and using Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to save lives. According to the Red Cross, over 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside hospitals each year in the U.S., and only about 40% of those patients receive CPR before emergency teams arrive.
The Red Cross encourages everyone to take CPR and AED certification courses. Immediate CPR can nearly double a person's chance of survival, as noted by the American Red Cross. Kellie O’Connell, CEO of the Illinois Red Cross, emphasized, "Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, and at any time without warning."
National CPR and AED Awareness Week was federally designated in 2007, thanks to a collaboration between the American Heart Association, the Red Cross, and the National Safety Council. The aim is to increase public willingness to act in cardiac emergencies, as reported by the American Heart Association.
Last year, over 4.5 million people sought training from the Red Cross, gaining confidence and skills to act when moments matter. The Red Cross offers both online and in-person training classes, which can be found at redcross.org/takeaclass.