November is CPR Month 2012

This November, be the somebody who saves a life

If you witnessed a family member in cardiac arrest, would you know what to do?

Although the majority of Canadians say they would recognize the signs if someone were experiencing a heart attack or another cardiac emergency, fewer than half say they have the skills to help in this common and life-threatening emergency.

November is CPR Month and the Canadian Red Cross challenges everyone to get the training they need to help save a life. Effective bystander CPR, when used in conjunction with an AED and administered immediately following cardiac arrest, can double a person’s chance of survival.

• More than 50,000 Canadians die of coronary disease every year. 
• Nearly 60 per cent of Canadians who have had to perform first aid did so to help a family member.
• Canadians who have taken a First Aid Course are considerably more confident in their skills to be able to help someone experiencing a medical emergency.

Red Cross CPR courses also include training on the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs): how to assess a person in cardiac arrest, determine whether defibrillation (a shock to the heart to restore normal beating) should be performed, and use an AED unit to deliver a shock if required. The Red Cross is the only national training agency to include AED training as a mandatory component in all our programs.

• Red Cross First Aid
• Find a course in your area
• Safety information and tips
• Canadian First Aid Polling Research, 2012 (PDF, 148KB)

October 2012