CPR, AED training can make the difference during cardiac arrest, Red Cross says

As Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month is observed in October, the American Red Cross is encouraging people to learn CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED), stressing that quick action can save lives.

Christie Caster, executive director of the American Red Cross of Western Colorado, said every second counts when someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest. For every minute a person goes without CPR or defibrillation, their chance of survival drops by about 10%.

“Knowing CPR and knowing where to find an AED can make a critical difference,” Caster said.

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when a person’s heart unexpectedly stops beating, causing them to collapse, become unresponsive and stop breathing normally. Caster said recognizing those signs and immediately calling 911 are the first steps in an emergency.

She noted that about one-quarter of adults report they are not confident in performing CPR or using an AED.

“The training and preparation help people stay calm and feel ready to respond,” Caster said.

The Red Cross offers CPR, AED and first-aid training through both in-person and online classes. Several in-person courses are scheduled in Grand Junction through the end of the year.

“Our goal is to help create a safer community,” Caster said.