Marion’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) has a new visionary goal to train the equivalent of Marion’s projected population in 2030 in Hands-Only CPR – that equates to 46,400 people in the next five years.
“The chances of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest outside the hospital are 10 percent. We have an opportunity to save more lives in our community – and we aim to do just that,” said Marion Fire Chief Tom Fagan.
According to the American Heart Association, approximately 1,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients are assessed by emergency medical services in the United States every day, and roughly 90 percent of patients do not survive.
Bystander CPR can TRIPLE the survival rate when compared to no CPR before the arrival of first responders. Unfortunately, bystander CPR only happens about 40 percent of the time.
With two simple steps, this region can become a community of lifesavers:
- Call 9-1-1
- Push hard and fast in the center of the chest
Marion CERT will team up with other community partners such as Area Ambulance Service to support this program.
Anyone can learn and perform Hands-Only CPR. The initiative launches this Saturday, April 26, at the Healthy Kids Day® and the Marion City Showcase at the Marion YMCA and Community Rec Center, 3740 Irish Drive, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Individuals and businesses interested in learning more are encouraged to contact the Marion Fire Department at (319) 377-8237.
