CPR Month: Empower Yourself to Save Lives
November is CPR Month and the Canadian Red Cross challenges everyone to get the training they need to help save a life. Receiving bystander CPR almost doubles the odds of survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Photo: AV Unit / Canadian Red Cross
When Seconds Count: Your CPR Life-Saving Skills Matter
In the blink of an eye, life can throw us into a heart-stopping crisis. Imagine a loved one suddenly collapsing and going unresponsive. Would you know what to do? Surprisingly, fewer than half of Canadians feel adequately equipped to help in this common and life-threatening emergency.
Sometimes people hesitate to help in emergencies, especially when the person in distress has breasts. Fears about touching the chest or doing something wrong can cause hesitation. But training gives you the skills and confidence to step in — because everyone deserves help.
As we recognize November as CPR Month, the Canadian Red Cross sends out an urgent call to action: It's time for everyone to step up and acquire the skills that could prepare you to be a real-life superhero.
Heart Health Matters: A Pressing Concern for Canadians
- About 1 in 12 (or 2.6 million) Canadian adults age 20+ live with diagnosed heart disease, according to the Government of Canada.
- An estimated 40,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital setting in Canada each year and 85% of these cases happen in the home.
- 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.
Confidence Through Preparedness: The Power of First Aid & CPR Training
Canadians who've undergone a first aid course exhibit significantly higher confidence in their ability to respond to medical emergencies. The simple truth is that preparedness can make all the difference when the clock is ticking.
Did you know? Research shows that people with breasts are less likely to receive CPR, even though CPR almost doubles survival chances. Training helps overcome hesitation.
Red Cross CPR courses also include training on the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). You will learn 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 organization to include AED training as a mandatory component in all our programs. Also, Red Cross encourages use of a variety of manikin types in training, to reflect real-world diversity and help learner feel confident responding to anyone in need.
The time for hesitation is over. Be the hero your loved ones need, and your community deserves. During this CPR Month, explore the opportunities to learn CPR and AED skills, and be prepared to be that somebody who can truly save a life.
CPR Month Resources to Get You Started:
- CPR Visual Guides: Access visual guides to CPR procedures to keep you informed and prepared for action.
- First Aid App: Download the NEW Red Cross First Aid app for an engaging and interactive way to learn and refresh your CPR skills.
- CPR Colouring activity for children: Introduce children and youth to the basics of first aid with interactive activity sheets.
- CPR/AED course: Enroll in a CPR and AED course to acquire hands-on experience and life-saving knowledge.
- Be ready to save every life — Find a course: Locate a CPR and AED training course near you and embark on your journey to becoming a true lifesaver.