ARE YOU READY TO BE A HERO?

SIGN UP TO GET TRAINED & LEARN TO SAVE A LIFE DURING NATIONAL CPR/AED AWARENESS WEEK

(May 29, 2009) In December of 2007, Congress declared the first week of June each year as National CPR/AED Awareness Week. The goal of National CPR and AED Awareness Week is to encourage states, cities and towns to establish organized programs that provide CPR and AED trainings and increase public access to AEDs.

Approximately 1,000 people die every day in the United States because they suffered a cardiac arrest outside of the hospital. However, death from sudden cardiac arrest is not inevitable. If more people react quickly by calling 9-1-1, performing CPR, and using an AED more lives can be saved.

Scottsdale Fire Department began training the public in a new CPR technique called Continuous Chest Compressions (CCC) in July 2008. To date, more than 1,400 people have been trained on how to save the life of a loved one, coworker or stranger in cardiac arrest. This new technique is easy, safe and does not require mouth to mouth contact.

Free 90-minute community presentations on the CCC resuscitation technique will be held:

6 – 7:30 pm, Wednesday, June 3 at Fire Headquarters, 8401 E. Indian School Road
1 – 2:30 pm, Saturday, June 6 at Horizon Community Center, 15444 N. 100th Street
9:30 – 11 am, Saturday, June 13 at Fire Headquarters, 8401 E. Indian School Road
1-2:30 pm, June 27 at La Mirada Desert Park, 8950 E. Pinnacle Peak Road

Scottsdale Fire Department staff and volunteers will teach participants to respond to a cardiac emergency including important tips for calling 911, performing chest compressions, and how to use an AED. Advance registration is strongly encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome.

To sign up, visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov/fire/CCC-CPR or call (480) 312-8000.

For a complete listing of upcoming community CPR, First Aid and Babysitter certification courses, visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov/fire/CPRclasses. Pre-registration is required for all certification courses. For more information or to register, call (480) 312-1879.