Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month: Are You Ready to Help Save a Life?

WHEN MOMENTS MATTER Each year, more than 350,000 people experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the U.S. and about 90% of them die. Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating normally because of abnormal electrical activity. Every second counts, so it’s important for people to be trained in knowing how to perform CPR and use an AED. Immediate CPR delivered by a bystander can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival. More than 70% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in the home. Visit redcross.org/takeaclass to sign up for an online, blended learning or in-person training course today.

CPR SAVES LIVES US Air Force Staff Sergeant Christopher Rickenbach is an airman, firefighter and athlete. All three professions came into play when he saved a teammate's life. During a soccer match, a 52-year-old player suddenly collapsed on the field. Staff Sgt. Rickenbach, who was off duty, immediately ran over to help.

After learning the man had no pulse, Staff Sgt. Rickenbach began to perform CPR and gave crucial information to another bystander who was on the phone with a 911 dispatcher.

Staff Sgt. Rickenbach first learned CPR through the Red Cross at 16 years old and has kept up with his skills ever since including taking a Red Cross Basic Life Support class.

Staff Sgt. Rickenbach’s mother was also on the sidelines that day. She was in awe of her son, watching him use his expertise and passion to help someone in need. His proud mother then attended a special ceremony honoring the airman for his lifesaving actions. The American Red Cross of Arizona presented him with the Red Cross Certificate of Merit — the highest award for those who use the knowledge and skills they learned from Red Cross training to save or sustain a life.

WORLD RESTART A HEART DAY On October 16, the Red Cross and other organizations will celebrate the World Restart a Heart initiative with events all around the world taking place on or around that date. This global initiative is designed to increase awareness about the importance of knowing what to do in an emergency and learning Hands-Only CPR. The hope is to save lives by increasing the rate of bystanders getting involved and giving CPR to someone who needs it.

LIVE WITH A SURVIVOR Join us on October 16 for a special Live event. The Red Cross will be joined by Gina Peattie and Dr. Joseph Farrell from the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation. The duo will discuss topics ranging from Dr. Farrell's experience as a cardiac arrest survivor to recovery outcomes that impact the whole family. Watch it live on LinkedIn or Facebook.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES In addition to taking a class, people can download the free Red Cross First Aid app and activate the First Aid Skill for Alexa-enabled devices for instant access to guidance on what to do during an emergency.