Emergencies can happen to anyone at any time, in any place. For this reason, it’s essential to be prepared to help yourself, your family, or your neighbors at a moment’s notice. For more than 100 years, the Red Cross has been creating courses and training people in first aid so that they’re prepared for those moments that matter. Through Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid courses, the Red Cross empowers people to learn the necessary skills to save a life in an emergency.

With over 500,000 cardiac arrests occurring each year, more than half of those emergencies happen outside hospitals. Getting CPR or First Aid certified is an essential tool to help during a heart-related emergency. Knowing these lifesaving skills is helpful in the early recognition of cardiac arrest, quick activation of emergency response and immediate high-quality CPR. According to the American Heart Association, for cardiac arrest victims of all ages, early and effective, high-quality chest compressions can double or triple the chances of survival.

Peggy DuBose is an authorized instructor for the Red Cross and teaches CPR, First Aid, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and Basic Life Support (BLS) classes. Peggy teaches easy-to-remember, vital actions to take in an emergency. Red Cross training programs are backed by the Scientific Advisory Council—a team of experts dedicated to gathering research from around the world and ensuring that what is learned or taught is based on the latest and best emergency science.

“You learn how to recognize a scene, react and talk to people when they’re conscious and able to talk back, while you are also taught what to do when they’re unconscious, without a pulse, not breathing or maybe choking,” says Peggy. She also adds that CPR and First Aid classes usually last up to five hours but can potentially make a massive difference in someone’s life. 

Accidents happen and when they do, every second counts. Anyone can take a lifesaving class to learn what to do until medical help arrives. “Going through a heart attack is an emergency situation that requires acting fast. Classes allow you to identify what needs to be done in every case and we use a mannequin to practice the techniques,” Peggy says. 

Knowing what needs to be done in every case means distinguishing between a cardiac arrest and a heart attack and learning when to call 911 immediately. “The purpose of acquiring these skills is to keep the person talking and alive while rescue comes.” 

It’s always a good time to consider getting CPR or First Aid certified. Every year, more than 4.6 million people are trained in Red Cross lifesaving programs developed and taught by experts like Peggy. Get CPR or First Aid certified today by visiting redcross.org/take-a-class.

Written by Diana Bello, American Red Cross Public Affairs