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 “I was on the pickle ball court and told my partner, ‘I’m a little dizzy, so wait just a second before you serve,’ then I sat down. And then I was told I was flat on my back and lifeless,” said Steve Martin.
In March of 2024, Martin suffered from cardiac arrest while playing pickle ball at the Irwin E. Holmes Rec. Center in Durham, NC.
“They did CPR for 9 minutes until EMS arrived. The AED that they have, shocked me twice. And the CPR kept me alive,” Steve said. “The EMS people did 11 minutes with CPR and two manual shocks. I woke up driving into the emergency ambulance bay at the Hospital.”
Steve gives credit for still being alive today to seven staff members who acted quickly and provided lifesaving CPR and administering AED, as well as the EMS personnel who responded to the scene.
“The only thing that happened was some peripheral blood clots, which is expected when your heart stopped pumping. But their CPR stopped it from being much more serious.”
On September 6, the staff members at the rec center who were involved received the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award for their actions in March.
In gratitude, Steve said. “Thank you again for all of your training that was put into work. It was a life saver.”
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.
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.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Your time and talent can make a real difference in people’s lives. Discover the role that's right for you and join us today!
