Be the Lifeline:
Every October during Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, we shine a spotlight on a silent emergency that can strike anywhere, at any time: sudden cardiac arrest. It doesn’t care how old you are, how fit you are, or where you are. When the heart stops beating without warning, the only thing that matters is how fast someone steps in. That someone could be you.
Why It Matters
* More than 350,000 people suffer cardiac arrest outside of hospitals every year in the U.S.
* Survival chances drop 10% every minute without CPR or defibrillation.
* Bystanders who act quickly can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival. This isn’t just a statistic—it’s a call to action.
Your Hands Can Save a Life
Imagine being at work, at the gym, at a park, or even with your own family—and someone collapses. In those first critical minutes, you are the difference between life and loss.
* Push hard and fast in the center of the chest.
* Call 911.
* Use an AED if available.
Even if you’ve never taken a class, doing something is always better than doing nothing.
Take Action This Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month
* Sign up for a CPR/AED class—it takes just a few hours, and the skills last a lifetime.
* Locate the nearest AEDs where you work, shop, and exercise.
* Talk to your kids, coworkers, and friends about why this matters.
* Share your knowledge—a quick conversation today could save a life tomorrow.
Together, We Create Heart-Safe Communities
Cardiac arrest doesn’t wait. Neither should we. By spreading awareness and empowering more people with lifesaving skills, we turn everyday places—schools, gyms, churches, offices—into heart-safe spaces.
This October, during Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, don’t just learn about cardiac arrest:
Be ready.
Be confident.
Be the lifeline.
Resources:
American Red Cross: CPR Facts & Statistics
American Heart Association: CPR Facts & Stats
Red Cross Certification Courses, offered by SwanCPR
- Katie Harker, Swan Aquatics' Director of Health and Safety, SwanCPR. Katie is a 20-year Certified Red Cross Teaching Veteran who trains people in CPR, First Aid, AED, Blood Borne Pathogens, Lifeguarding, Wilderness First Aid, Swimming and Water Aerobics. Her passion is saving lives.
