Maricopa council members got a quick lesson on saving lives Tuesday.
In honor of American Heart Month, the Maricopa Fire Department gave the city’s elected officials and residents a presentation on hands-only CPR and automated external defibrillators, or AEDs.
“We know that four out of five cardiac arrests happen at home,” said Brad Pitassi, a public information officer for the department. “When you learn the skills, ultimately the life you save with CPR is most likely going to be a loved one or somebody you know.”
Since 2008, the American Heart Association has recommended performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation with only chest compressions on adults. According to the association, hands-only CPR is as effective as CPR with breaths when treating adult cardiac arrest victims.
Pitassi conducted a presentation during the city council work session. Council members practiced hands-only CPR on small dummies that lay on the council’s curved table.
According to AHA, a bystander who performs CPR on a cardiac arrest victim can double or triple the person’s chance of survival.
To read more about hands-only CPR and view a short training video, click here.
A CPR course will be offered on Feb. 22 at Fire Station 575, 45695 W. Edison Road. The $25 course is for people ages 15 and up. The class begins at 9 a.m.
