Press Release
According to Chattahoochee Technical College American Heart Association Training Center Coordinator Shelby Martin, Cardiovascular disease is the nation’s No. 1 killer and many of those deaths – about 250,000 per year – occur suddenly and without warning due to sudden cardiac arrest. A victim of sudden cardiac arrest is likely to die within minutes if CPR and defibrillation do not occur. A CPR-trained person can make a positive difference in such a situation.
In honor of CPR Week, which runs June 1-7, Chattahoochee Technical College will be offering free Friends and Family CPR classes. This is a community CPR course and does not meet CPR certification requirements of employment or required professional credentials. According to the AHA, the hands-only CPR technique, which is the one taught in the class, has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR for sudden cardiac arrest, doubling or even tripling a victim’s chance of survival. The hands only technique is also taught online at heart.org/handsonlycpr. Registration is required for these classes.
“When a bystander provides effective CPR to a cardiac arrest victim, they can double or triple that person’s chance of survival,” said Martin. “The best response for a cardiac arrest victim is to have willing bystanders that are trained and equipped. In an effort to raise public awareness of what we can all do to help save a life, we will be offering these classes for free or at a discounted rate.”
Those wanting more information and practice may register for the HeartSaver CPR and AED class at a discounted rate that week. The course, which costs $25, offers a certification for those who need it for work outside of a healthcare setting. This is also appropriate for community members wanting to go more in-depth than just hands on CPR or those wishing to obtain a certification.
Additionally, those needing certification for a healthcare position, may register for the Basic Life Support classes at a cost of $25. This is a certification course for individuals in the healthcare field needing adult, child and infant CPR, AED and choking prevention. All of these classes are offered at different times during the year at Chattahoochee Technical College’s North Metro Campus at regular rates. Fees for the week of June 1 through June 7 have been reduced or waived in honor of CPR Week.
For more information or to register, please call 770-528-3538 or visit the program’s website at www.chattahoocheetech.edu/american-heart-association.