Learn CPR and Save a Life
Each year, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States. CPR can save help save their lives.
When a person has a cardiac arrest, their survival depends on immediately getting CPR from someone nearby. Almost 90% of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. CPR, especially if performed in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.
You can learn CPR and save a life.
A cardiac arrest is different than a heart attack but both require an immediate call to 911.
- A cardiac arrest is an “electrical” problem. The heart has malfunctioned and stopped beating unexpectedly. The person becomes unresponsive, stops breathing or gasps for air. Without CPR, death can occur in minutes.
- A heart attack is a “circulation” problem. The heart usually does not stop beating. The person feels pain or discomfort in the chest and/or upper body as the heart is damaged from a lack of blood supply. You do not perform CPR for a heart attack.
If you are called on to give CPR in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you love: a child, a spouse, a parent or a friend. 70% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes. Unfortunately, only about 46% of people who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest get the immediate help that they need before professional help arrives.
The American Red Cross teaches CPR in a classroom and online. You can register for a class at their website: