THUNDER BAY – The Heart and Stroke Foundation and local partners are reminding you to register for Saturday’s CPR training. Health Promotion Specialist Bill McBain says the session is open to anyone or any age.
“We invite girl guides, boy scouts, hockey coaches, trainers, teachers, office managers…anyone who may be in the public to take this free 2-hour course.”
“Our goal remains the same as last year: Make Thunder Bay Canada’s cardiac arrest survival leader. Whoever you are, wherever you are, you have the right to expect someone is there to help you, immediately. And we want to make sure you have confidence to help someone who needs your help” , added Thunder Bay city councilor Andrew Foulds
As many as 40,000 cardiac arrests occur in Canada each year, and up to 85 per cent of these happen in public areas or homes. “The survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests is still abysmally low at about 5 per cent. Research shows that key barriers stopping people from performing CPR are lack of CPR training, fear of harming the victim, and failure to understand the consequences of not doing CPR.” added Wayne Gates, Deputy Chief, Superior North EMS.
Jack Playford, Chair of Northern Hearts says that when a person experiences cardiac arrest and their heart stops beating, they are technically dead until they’re revived. “Quick action is critical. That is why it is crucial to learn Hands-Only™ CPR – and why we are encouraging everyone to take advantage of CPR training opportunities to learn this life-saving skill.“
A free mass CPR training will be held on Saturday November 30th at Westmount Public School. from 10:30am -12:30pm. Doors open at 9:30am. Please pre-register by calling 807.345.2008 or e-mail: northernhearts@tbaytel.net or bmcbain@hsf.on.ca
