CPR and AED Awareness Week brings attention to sudden cardiac arrest

National CPR and AED Awareness Week is June 1-7, bringing attention to cardiac arrest and the importance of bystander intervention.

On Tuesday, the city of San Diego hosted a free cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator training event to raise awareness locally.

“Anyone can save a life if they know what to do,” said Maureen O’Connor, San Diego Project Heart Beat program manager. “Our goal is to give people the confidence and skills to step in and help. CPR is simple, and it truly makes a difference between life and death.”

The American Heart Association, American Red Cross and National Safety Council worked collaboratively in 2007 to federally designate a week for CPR and AED awareness. In response to their efforts, Congress passed a resolution to set aside June 1-7 each year for CPR and AED Awareness Week.

Cardiac arrest is a condition claiming more than 350,000 lives each year in the United States, according to a city statement.

San Diego Project Heart Beat was organized in 2001 to increase survival rates for victims of sudden cardiac arrest. The project works with public and private businesses and other organizations to implement affordable and educational programs on CPR and AEDs. The program has also placed more than 10,000 AEDs throughout San Diego.

In just five minutes, a person can learn how to perform CPR and use an AED. No prior registration or experience is required.