MONTECITO — The American Heart Association helps create real-life superheroes with hands-on CPR training at Ghost Village Road, Montecito.
Each year, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States. CPR can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.
WHAT: The American Heart Association (AHA) is creating real-life superheroes this Halloween by empowering local youth in Montecito to learns Hands-Only CPR. October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Month and the AHA is raising awareness about Hands-Only CPR so that residents can act fast when they see a loved one, colleague or stranger collapse. Local survivor Michele Mallet will share her story of overcoming a cardiac arrest caused by a tear in her artery and will help teach Hands-Only CPR to trick or treaters visiting the annual Ghost Village Road Halloween event. Hands-Only CPR is CPR without the breaths and consists of two simple steps 1) call 9-1-1 and 2) push hard and fast at the center of the chest. In addition to teaching Hands-Only CPR, the AHA and its allies will offer health and wellness resources locally sponsored by Milpas Motors including a jump rope for each kid who visits to help them stay heart healthy.
WHEN: Thursday, October 31 from 3 to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Belle de Jour Salon Parking Lot
1236 Coast Village Circle
Montecito, CA
WHY: About 70 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes and only about 46 percent of people who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest receive the immediate help that they need before professional help arrives. Each year, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States. About 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. Bystanders should not be afraid to perform CPR for fear of unintentionally causing injury. It is much better to act than do nothing at all. Learn how to save a life at heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR.
DAY OF : Angela Miller-Bevan, Cell#, Angela.Miller-Bevan@heart.org
EVENT Rebecca Mendoza, Cell#, Rebecca.Mendoza@heart.org
CONTACTS
The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.