WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Congressman Dan Boren released the following statement today in recognition of CPR / AED Awareness Week. Last December the House unanimously passed H.Con.Res. 215, a joint effort by Boren and Congressman Randy Kuhl (R-N.Y.), which established the first week in June as “National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillator Awareness Week.” The designation coincides with the American Heart Association and American Red Cross’s efforts to raise public awareness and conduct training programs associated with heart health.
“Sudden cardiac arrest can strike at any time, so you never know when you might be someone’s only chance for survival. Calling 9-1-1, performing CPR, and using an automated external defibrillator should be an instinctive response. Unfortunately, for most Americans, that reaction is often not rapid enough,” said Boren.
Prompt delivery of CPR can more than double the victim’s chance of surviving sudden cardiac arrest as it helps to maintain the vital flow of blood to the heart and brain. With proper training, AED’s are easy to operate within minutes and can significantly increase the victim’s chances of survival. Communities with comprehensive AED programs have achieved survival rates of over 40 percent.
More than 166,000 Americans, many of whom are in the prime of their lives, suffer sudden cardiac arrest each year. However, sadly only five percent of them survive.
“As policymakers, we must continue to implement and support programs that make AEDs more accessible and improve our monitoring of sudden cardiac arrest. As Oklahomans, we must become trained in performing CPR and using an AED, and encourage our loved ones to do so as well,” said Boren.
A 2005 PARADE-Research!America poll found that over 60 percent of Americans had never even seen an AED. Furthermore, roughly 75 to 80 percent of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrest occur within the home, and CPR can mean the difference between life and death. These statistics highlight the need for a continued effort to increase awareness and training of these important life saving measures.
The National Safety Council is offering free online training as part of National CPR and AED Awareness Week to provide an easy and convenient way for people to learn or renew vital skills that could save the life of a loved one. The free training is available at http://WWW.NSCFIRSTAID.COM/NationalCPRweek (this link will be active through June 7th only).
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