The American Heart Association and Dillard Construction are working together to help increase the number of Hands-Only CPR trained bystanders in the local area.
"Every eight seconds a cardiac event occurs, while only eight percent of our population is trained in CPR. Dillard Construction has committed a gift through the American Heart Association to the health of their community. The gift will be redirected back into schools through the purchase and distribution of Hands-Only CPR Kits within the Hamilton and Rhea County Communities to help save lives," officials said.
These Hands-Only CPR kits include a life like mannequin, DVD, written instruction and accessories for multiple students. One kit has the capability of training an entire school.
“We are thrilled to give this knowledge to our children and put the power of life saving knowledge in our school systems.” Ryan Dillard, executive vice president, Dillard Construction.
"Each year nearly 424,000 people have sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital and only 10.4 percent of these victims survive. When a CPR-trained bystander is near, they can double, even triple a victim’s survival rate by giving the victim the help they need until EMS arrive. This is critical as the first three to five minutes of an emergency situation is a matter of life and death for sudden cardiac arrest victims. Bystanders must act quickly to save a life. Hands-Only CPR training can teach them what to do.
"Most cardiac arrest victims appear healthy with no known heart disease or other risk factors. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when electrical impulses in the heart become rapid or chaotic, which causes the heart to suddenly stop beating.
"If you are called to give CPR in an emergency situation, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you love: a child, a spouse, a parent or a friend. Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, at any time, it is most often caused by a heart attack, but it can also be caused by trauma, an overdose, or drowning. During a sudden cardiac arrest the heart stops beating, blood stops circulating, oxygen stops flowing to the brain, and the victim stops breathing. If no CPR is provided or no defibrillation occurs within 3 to 5 minutes of collapse, the chances of survival drop," officials said.