WACO, Texas, Jan 29, 2024 — During February – American Heart Month – the American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives for all, is urging all Waco families to learn the lifesaving skill of CPR. With more than 350,000 people experiencing cardiac arrests outside of a hospital each year, including 23,000 children, CPR is a critical skill that kids as young as 9 years old can learn.[1][2][3]

The Association’s Nation of Lifesavers, an American Heart Association initiative focused on doubling the survival rate of cardiac arrest by 2030, makes it easier than ever to learn CPR with many learning options available to families. In Waco, families can take an online CPR course, learn and practice Hands-Only CPR with a CPR Anytime® Training Kit or find a Heartsaver™ certification course near them.

“Every day, our hospital welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds and age groups facing cardiac emergencies,” said Philip A. Patterson, FACHE, market president of Ascension Providence in Waco. He is also the chairman of the 2024 Waco Goes Red event. “Unfortunately, more than half have not received CPR before the arrival of professional help.

“At Ascension Providence, we support the American Heart Association’s movement to turn bystanders into lifesavers,” added Patterson. “It is crucial to raise awareness and train our communities in Hands-Only CPR, as it can be the difference in life and death.”

“If you are called to respond in a cardiac emergency, knowing CPR may save the life of someone you love,” said said the American Heart Association's Lyndie Miller, the director of Waco Goes Red. “We are committed to extending the chain of survival in Waco through education because the power to save a life is in each of our hands.”

There are three main types of CPR: Traditional, Child and Infant and Hands-Only.

  • Traditional CPR is the method that combines chest compressions 2 inches in depth at the rate of 100-120 beats per minute with two breathes.
  • Infant and Child CPR is similar to traditional CPR but has some key differences. Child CPR is performed with chest compressions at the depth of two inches with one or two hands, followed by two breaths.  Infant CPR is performed with chest compressions at the dept of 1 1/2 inches with two fingers, followed by two breaths and repeat.
  • Hands-Only CPR is chest compression-only CPR and has been shown to be equally effective as traditional CPR in the first few minutes of emergency response.  involves two simple steps that anyone can learn from a 60-second video available at heart.org/handsonlycpr

Step 1: Call 911

Step 2: Push hard and fast in the center of the chest

The Association is committed to turning a nation of bystanders into lifesavers. The multi-year initiative will ensure teens and adults can learn about CPR and AED use, share that knowledge with friends and family and engage employers, policymakers, philanthropists and others to create support for a nation of lifesavers. The long-term goal: to ensure that in the face of a cardiac emergency, everyone, everywhere is prepared and empowered to perform CPR and become a vital link in the chain of survival.

CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival – which is key since about 90% of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die.[4][5]  For more information on how to join the Nation of Lifesavers this February, visit heart.org/nation.

Additional Resources:  

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   About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.orgFacebookX or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. 

For Media Inquiries

Cyd King: M 479.263.8473; cyd.king@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org