As a journalist I try to have people who report to me on rapid response events take what's called "street medic training." Also called "Stop The Bleed," these are the kind of skills you should know if you may be in prolonged protest and areas of unrest – and that sometimes scares people. But they are also good skills to know if you cook a lot, have a kid or animal at home, or are generally clumsy (like me). In fact, last week I made the hasty decision to use a serrated knife too quickly and sliced right through the top of my finger. Good thing, I had a first aid kit at home with the right kind of bandage. A personal goal for myself is to learn more lifesaving skills I might need at home. That's why we're doing CPR this month.
436,000 Americans suffer from cardiac arrest a year, which most cases happening at home, with no warning. Starting CPR immediately, the chance of survival from sudden cardiac arrest is 6%, but if you have to wait until EMS arrives, that survival rate drops to 2%.
The American Heart Association says that during a cardiocirculatory emergency, the initiation of CPR "by lay bystanders increases survival rates at least 2‐ to 3‐fold."
Knowing CPR can also create calm during chaos, giving purpose and order to a situation that might cause bystanders to become unmoored. Suddenly you have a skill to help when a situation seems helpless.
Getting a training together has been on my list of priorities for the last year, so I'm very happy to offer this class. I wish it could have been free, like other Platia events, but it was important to me to bring in a trainer and pay them. Still, this CPR event costs less than many others, and I hope that opens doors to people who have not been able to get the training.
This event will be held on Tuesday, February 24th at Maisy's Meeting House in Old City and you can sign up on their website at this URL: https://maisysmeetinghouse.as.me/schedule/2a4de86c/category/Other%2520Clubhouse%2520Events?ref=theplatia.com
I hope to see you there, and reach out if you want to know about other volunteer and mutual aid opportunities in the meantime!
- Annemarie