MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

LEARN THE LIFE-SAVING SKILL OF HANDS-ONLY CPR FOR FREE MAY 8

One-hour, non-certified classes at Public Safety Academy open to anyone 12 and older

I would like to invite anyone 12 or older to learn the life-saving skill of hands-only CPR as part of the “Don’t Miss a Beat” training Saturday, May 8 at the Regional Public Safety Academy, 7602 Patriot Crossing.

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The free hour-long class will train community members ages 12 and older how to give effective chest compressions – using manikins or special kits – to adults who have suffered a heart attack or cardiac arrest. The Three Rivers CPR Task Force is offering the sessions that morning starting at 9, 9:30, 10, 10:30 and 11.

To register for the training, visit www.3RCPR.org or call 427-1164.

Compression or hands-only CPR focuses on chest compressions only, no breaths, to keep blood moving in an adult victim whose heart has stopped beating. It has become increasingly popular in recent years as research has shown it to be effective in helping to save lives.

The missing link in the cardiac chain of survival in the Fort Wayne area is bystanders performing CPR. Local residents know to call 911, and our first-responders are well trained to use an AED and provide advanced life support, but we need more people who know how to provide life-saving chest compressions. These free classes, taught by certified instructors, are just an hour of your time and will make you confident about being able to save the life of a family member, co-worker, neighbor or stranger.

This is the fifth time the City and Three Rivers Ambulance Authority, American Red Cross, Focus on Health, Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health, Parkview Health and Lutheran Health Network have offered this non-certified training. More than 600 people have learned hands-only CPR through this program.

Anyone completing the training May 8 will receive a “Bring a Friend for Free” coupon for those paying for a CPR certification class through the American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana.

The buy one, get one free certificate, a $50 value, can be used for the Red Cross’s adult, child, infant CPR training class through December 31, 2010. The certificate does not have to be used by the person who attends the May training.

Erin McDonald, American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana’s Director of Preparedness & Safety Solutions, says too often people think that it is only someone older and in a poor physical condition that is at risk of cardiac emergencies. The truth is that right here in our own community we have had two recent saves involving a 16-year-old and a 32-year-old who were both in seemingly good physical health. Through the quick actions of bystanders providing the life-saving skills of CPR, those lives were saved. That is why it is the goal of the American Red Cross to have at least one member of every household trained in CPR.

In addition the training, the American Red Cross will have a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on site and local public safety agencies will offer demonstrations. To schedule a blood donation appointment, call (800) GIVE-LIFE or check the box on the online class registration form.

In 2009, TRAA responded to 274 cardiac arrest cases that happened outside a medical setting. Of those, only 17 percent of victims received bystander CPR.

For more information, call (260) 427-1164, visit 3rcpr.org or e-mail 3rcpr@cityoffortwayne.org.