More Americans are caring for loved ones — but few feel prepared for emergencies

News Summary

·       Millions of Americans now serve as caregivers for both young children and aging loved ones, yet only about one-third of U.S. adults say they feel confident and ready to act if someone goes into cardiac arrest.

·       More than 300,000 people experience cardiac arrest outside of hospitals each year in the United States, with infants, older adults and those with chronic health conditions among the most vulnerable. For children, more than 80% of these emergencies happen at home — making CPR and AED training an essential caregiving skill.

·       During National Heart Month, the American Red Cross is urging people to take a First Aid, CPR and AED class to be ready when seconds count. The Red Cross recently enhanced its training program with updated infant CPR techniques and new instruction on other lifesaving skills.

WASHINGTON, January 28, 2026 — Today, millions of Americans serve as caregivers, supporting both young children and aging loved ones — often at the same time. Yet many lack critical lifesaving training, including how to respond in a cardiac arrest emergency. Only about one-third of U.S. adults say they feel confident and ready to act if someone goes into cardiac arrest.

More than 300,000 people experience cardiac arrest outside of hospitals each year in the United States. Infants, older adults and those with chronic health conditions are among the most vulnerable. For children of all ages, more than 80% of these emergencies happen at home — making the home the front line of response. CPR and AED training isn’t just a medical skill — it’s a caregiving essential.

“We know that the sooner CPR is started, the better your outcomes are. You don’t know how long it’s going to take EMS to arrive and you don’t know how long the transport time is to the nearest hospital,” said Elizabeth Hewett Brumberg, MD, Pediatric Emergency Physician and American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council Member. “Having those first aid and CPR skills you can pull from your back pocket may mean the difference for your child, family member, or even a stranger.”

During National Heart Month, the American Red Cross is urging people to show your loved ones how much you care by taking a Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED class and other lifesaving skills courses. Having the knowledge and confidence to act when seconds count can triple someone’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest.

Be Ready for the Moments that Matter with Red Cross Lifesaving Training

For more than 100 years, the American Red Cross has been a national leader in first aid education, training more than three million people per year in first aid, CPR and AED skills to help save lives in emergencies.

To ensure we are meeting the needs of today and evolving with the latest science, the Red Cross has recently enhanced its First Aid/CPR/AED training program to include updated infant CPR techniques and instruction on using epinephrine nasal spray, which is now an approved treatment for anaphylaxis. These updates ensure caregivers and bystanders are prepared to respond quickly and confidently in a range of life-threatening emergencies.

The training also equips participants with the knowledge and skills to better identify and respond to heart-related emergencies, including understanding the critical differences between cardiac arrest and heart attacks. It incorporates updated warning signs—highlighting how heart attacks can present differently in women—so symptoms are recognized earlier and lifesaving action can begin sooner. Visit redcross.org/takeaclass to find a class near you.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.

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