American Red Cross urges Utahns to learn CPR in honor of National CPR & AED Awareness Week

Red Cross has numerous lifesaving skills courses available to keep families prepared, increase survival rates.

The American Red Cross of Utah is recognizing the 17^th anniversary of National CPR and AED Awareness Week, June 1-7, by encouraging Utahns to have at least one person in their household trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or Hands-Only CPR (chest compressions without rescue breathing), along with the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), crucial for restarting the heart. These skills can significantly increase survival rates during cardiac emergencies.

“When performed properly, CPR helps maintain blood flow and oxygenation to vital organs until professional help arrives,” said Dr. Walter Kelley, Medical Director for the Rocky Mountain Division of the American Red Cross. “Every minute that passes without intervention decreases the likelihood of survival. That’s why it’s crucial for as many people as possible to learn CPR – any one of us could be in a position to save a life if we have the right skills.”

More than three out of four cardiac arrests occur at home or at work, and minutes count when the heart stops. “We could all be in the position to save someone we know or love using CPR,” said Benjamin Donner, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Central and Southern Utah Chapter. “That’s why we want everyone to learn CPR and be ready to act quickly, with confidence and knowledge, in an emergency.”

Receive Vital Red Cross Training

Discover a range of certified training options including traditional CPR and Hands-Only CPR, available in-person, online or through hybrid classes. Certification in AED usage, pivotal in preventing fatalities and brain damage, is also offered. Learn more at redcross.com/take-a-class.

The Red Cross extends its outreach to schools, businesses, community groups and religious organizations, providing no-cost Hands-Only CPR sessions. For more information or to request a presentation, visit rdcrss.org/3KdoALo. “CPR can double or triple survival rates after a cardiac arrest,” Dr. Kelley said. “Sustaining blood flow, even partially, increases the chance of successful resuscitation when medical professionals or first responders arrive.”

Download the free Red Cross First Aid app

Get instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies, including how to perform CPR and use an AED, in English and Spanish. Red Cross apps are compatible with Apple Watch and Android wearable devices. Search “American Red Cross” in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps.

National CPR and AED Awareness Week history

On Dec. 13, 2007, with support from the American Red Cross and partner organizations, the U.S. Congress unanimously passed a resolution to set aside June 1-7 as National CPR and AED Awareness Week. The goal is to educate the public about lives that can be saved if more people are trained in CPR and AED use. It emphasizes the critical role bystanders play in turning knowledge into action during cardiac emergencies.