American Heart Association Urges Public to Learn Lifesaving Skills During National CPR and AED Awareness Week, June 1–7

During National CPR and AED Awareness Week, June 1–7, the American Heart Association is calling on everyone to become part of the Nation of Lifesavers™ by learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED), and how to respond quickly in an emergency.

Each year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals, and nearly 3 out of 4 happen at home. Immediate action can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival. Yet many bystanders hesitate. Learning simple, effective skills like Hands-Only CPR can make all the difference.

“Anyone can save a life,” said Chris Shives, Executive Director, American Heart Association-Nebraska. “If you see a teen or adult collapse, call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest.”

AEDs are also critical, but awareness remains low—only about half of employees know where to find one at work. These devices provide step-by-step prompts and can help restore a normal heart rhythm.

In Omaha and Lincoln, residents can take preparedness a step further by downloading the PulsePoint Respond and PulsePoint AED apps, which alert nearby users to cardiac emergencies and show the location of the closest AED.

The American Heart Association encourages individuals, families and workplaces to get trained and be ready. Learn more at heart.org/nation.