Millions of Americans are caregivers, often looking after young children and aging loved ones at the same time. But many don’t have lifesaving training for emergencies like cardiac arrest. The American Red Cross says only about one-third of U.S. adults feel confident they could respond if someone’s heart suddenly stops.
Each year, more than 300-thousand cardiac arrests happen outside hospitals. Infants, older adults, and people with chronic conditions are most at risk, and for children, more than 80 percent of cardiac emergencies happen at home.
Kyle Kriegl, executive director of the Southwest Wisconsin Chapter of the American Red Cross, says CPR and first aid training can make all the difference. He says having the ability to respond in an emergency makes caregivers more confident and can save the life of a child, family member, or even a stranger.
During National Heart Month, the Red Cross is encouraging people to take First Aid, CPR, and AED training. Having that knowledge can triple a person’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest. Nearly 19-thousand people were trained in lifesaving skills across Wisconsin last year.
The Red Cross has also updated its training to include new infant CPR techniques, guidance on using epinephrine nasal spray for severe allergic reactions, and improved education on recognizing heart attacks — including how symptoms can differ in women.
More information and class locations are available at redcross.org slash take a class.
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