With nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests outside of the hospital occurring in homes, knowing how to perform CPR is critically important[1]. CPR, especially if performed immediately, could double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival[2].
That is why the American Heart Association, the worldwide leader in resuscitation science and education, and Wegmans are adding lifesavers to the chain of survival by providing Hands-Only CPR education resources in the community through CPR & First Aid in Youth Sports™ Training Kits. These training kits are designed for youth instructors to ensure they and their community know the lifesaving skills of Hands-Only CPR, how to use an AED, and how to help during sports related emergencies. Each kit can train approximately 300 people per year.
The Association, along with sponsor, Wegmans, recently presented a training kit to Big33. The organization will be using the kit at Big33 Football Classic games this coming spring and engaging both high school football players and cheerleaders from Pennsylvania and Maryland into their training programs.
“Wegmans is committed to making a difference in every community we serve,” said Bob Finn Jr., store manager of Wegmans Food Markets in Mechanicsburg. “Through our support of the American Heart Association, we are doing our part to help them build a nation of lifesavers and save lives right here in our community.”
From left to right: Bob Finn Jr., store manager, Wegmans Mechanicsburg; Garry Cathell, executive director, PSFCA/Big33; Nicole Whitmore, associate executive director, Big33; Blake Milbrand, development director, American Heart Association; and Julie Keiser, grocery manager, Wegmans Mechanicsburg.
As a part of the collaboration between the Association and Wegmans, 300 CPR & First Aid in Youth Sports™ Training Kits will be placed throughout New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Virginia, North Carolina and Washington, DC.
“Every year in the United States, there are more than 23,000 youth who experience a cardiac emergency outside of a hospital and almost 40 percent of those are sports-related,” said Blake Milbrand, development director for the American Heart Association, Capital Region. “Thanks to support from Wegmans, we’re able to put lifesaving skills into the hands of more people, including hundreds of Big 33 student athletes and supporters.”
Quick, simple and easy-to-learn, Hands-Only CPR has been shown to be as effective in the first few minutes as conventional CPR for cardiac arrest at home, at work or in public[3].
For more information this program, visit heart.org/WegmansCPR, or visit cpr.heart.org for more on Hands-Only CPR.
Additional Resources:
- Bystander CPR
- Bystander CPR Infographic
- Hands-Only CPR Resources
- Women and CPR
- Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack
[1] https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001123?utm_campaign=2023stat-update&utm_source=heart&utm_medium=link&utm_content=statshome
[2] https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001052?utm_campaign=2023stat-update&utm_source=heart&utm_medium=link&utm_content=statshome
[3] https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001052?utm_campaign=2023stat-update&utm_source=heart&utm_medium=link&utm_content=statshome