The American Red Cross Community Adaptation Program (CAP) hosted two free Spanish-language CPR/First Aid and CPR/AED classes at the Spanish Community Center in Atlantic City and the Hammonton Presbyterian Church.

Sixteen Spanish-speaking community members are now trained in the lifesaving skills needed to act during emergencies. In addition to the 16 trained community members, at least one attendee, a CAP Disaster Action Team Pilot program partner, will be trained to become a Hands-Only CPR instructor to deliver additional training in the community.

To understand why this work is important, consider the statistics. Each year EMS cares for more than 250,000 individuals in the United States experiencing a non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Approximately 90 percent of people who experience an OHCA die. Survival chances decrease by 10 percent for every minute that immediate CPR and use of an AED is delayed. Finally, more than 70 percent of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in the home, so the life a trained person may save could be a family member or a friend.

Recognizing the importance of training the community, the Community Adaptation Program applied for, and received, a Red Cross grant to provide this training. The CAP team also purchased supplies that will be included in bags being assembled by Hammonton Presbyterian Church for incoming migrant farm workers, helping to support them during periods of extreme heat.

“This grant has provided a valuable opportunity to deliver CPR/AED training in Spanish, ensuring Latino community members can access life-saving skills in their own language and support one another more effectively,” said Kristie Collins, Community Disaster Risk Reduction Manager. “These efforts directly support the Red Cross mission by expanding CPR education and strengthening community resilience.”

A recent study by the American Red Cross concluded that individuals are motivated to train primarily because they want to be prepared and keep their families safe. The next reason was to help keep their community safe. Responses also included feeling helpless during emergencies and wanting to be better prepared.

If you wish to be better prepared to help in an emergency, find a CPR/AED/First Aid class at redcross.org/take-a-class.