Be hero and learn CPR during Leon County's Press the Chest training

Be hero and learn CPR during Leon County's Press the Chest training
Join Leon County Government for Press the Chest, an annual hands-on community CPR training event, from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 11, at the Tucker Civic Center, 505 West Pensacola St. Register for this free event at LeonCountyFL.gov/PressTheChest.

Utilizing science-based guidelines established by the American Heart Association, attendees will learn the lifesaving skills of adult hands-only CPR, child CPR with breaths, adult and child choking relief, and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) awareness from experienced Leon County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) medics. Check-in begins at 9 a.m.

Every attendee will receive an American Heart Association personal “CPR Anytime” kit containing a CPR manikin, DVD, and educational materials that they can use to practice at home and share with family and friends.

CPR, or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. Performing CPR immediately after cardiac arrest can double or triple the chances of survival.

Since 2011, Leon County has trained more than 16,000 residents with hands-on instruction on how to do CPR correctly. The annual Press the Chest event equips citizens with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to perform CPR during an emergency. Events like Press the Chest contribute to Leon County’s impressive cardiac survival rate that exceeds the national average.

CPR training is suitable for children seven and older, but all ages are welcome to attend. This is not a certification event.

Since its launch on Dec. 31, 2003, Leon County EMS has provided emergency medical services and transport to the citizens and visitors of Leon County. In 2023, Leon County EMS was named statewide EMS Provider of the Year by the Florida Department of Health for its continuous dedication to delivering unparalleled emergency medical care and serving the community through training and public education programs.