REMSA to Participate in National CPR and AED Week with “Hand Only” CPR Trainings Throughout the Area
National CPR and AED Week will officially kick-off this Thursday, June 1. The recognition week is marked each year, June 1-7. The Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority (REMSA) will conduct hands-only CPR demonstrations around Reno and Sparks throughout the week to raise awareness about how to properly and quickly respond to sudden cardiac arrest. At event locations, community members will be asked if they know how the steps to take when to respond to sudden cardiac arrest and will then be taught how to effectively administer hands-only CPR.
“Every 25 seconds someone in the United States has a heart attack,” said Cindy Green, education manager at REMSA. “Focusing on the health of our community, providing quality education and resources, and encouraging a heart healthy lifestyle are all critical elements to ensure we are making a difference in the lives of the people that live and work in our area.”
REMSA has partnered with local businesses during the week where they will conduct the Sidewalk CPR trainings. The week’s training calendar is as follows:
- Thursday, June 1 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Scheels (1200 Scheels Way, Sparks) during the Reno Tahoe Odyssey packet pick up
- Saturday, June 3 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the California Avenue Farmers Market (1119 California Ave, Reno)
- Saturday, June 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Family Festival (1595 N. Sierra Street, Reno)
- Saturday, June 3 from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. at The Summit shopping center during Safe Kids Day (13925 South Virginia Street, Reno)
- Sunday, June 4 from 9 – 11 a.m. at Squeeze In (5020 Las Brisas, in northwest Reno)
- Sunday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Harley Davidson (2900 Research Way, Carson City)
- Monday, June 5 from noon to 3 p.m. at Costco (4810 Galleria Pkwy in Sparks)
- Wednesday, June 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Reno 1868 soccer game (Greater Nevada Field, Reno)
REMSA will have manikins and educators to teach participants how to properly conduct cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using only their hands in case of an emergency. The CPR training is not an official certification course, but is instead an awareness course that will lead to saving more lives in Washoe County. “At one of these events, in less than 90 seconds, a community member can learn the simple steps of CPR, giving them the knowledge to save someone’s life,” said Green. “Everyone should have these skills.”
Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the country. More than 300,000 people will die from coronary heart disease this year before reaching the hospital. Victims that receive immediate CPR and a shock from AED within three to five minutes have up to a 74 percent chance of survival. Currently, less than eight percent of victims survive due to lack of CPR and AED use across the country. Immediate, effective CPR can more than double a victim’s chance of survival.
For more information or questions, contact REMSA at (775) 353-0772 or www.remsaeducation.com.
