HONOLULU — The American Heart Association (AHA) Hawai‘i has launched its first Community Impact Days as part of a statewide effort to teach residents life-saving CPR skills. The campaign coincides with National CPR and AED Awareness Week, running from June 1 to 7.
The initiative was highlighted during a live segment with Chris Latronic from the AHA’s headquarters on Richards Street. AHA Hawai‘i’s Community Impact Director Elizabeth Cotterell and American Medical Response Training Manager Dory Clisham explained how the program is designed to prepare people to act quickly in emergencies.
At the heart of the campaign is Hands-Only CPR, a simplified form of cardiopulmonary resuscitation that can be performed without mouth-to-mouth breaths. The training is especially timely as children begin summer break and spend more time at home or in public spaces, often without immediate access to trained adults like teachers or coaches.
The need for CPR training is urgent. Each year, more than 350,000 people in the United States suffer cardiac arrest outside of hospitals. Nearly 70% of these incidents happen at home, and 90% of them are fatal if no immediate action is taken.
“CPR can double or even triple someone’s chance of survival,” said Cotterell. “And children as young as nine can learn how to do it.”
This campaign is part of the AHA’s 100th-anniversary celebration. The organization is encouraging every household in Hawai‘i to join the “Nation of Lifesavers” movement. The goal is to equip as many people as possible with CPR skills and double the national survival rate for cardiac arrest by the year 2030.
As part of the campaign, a free Hands-Only CPR training session will be held on Saturday, June 7, at the Waimānalo Health Center. The event is open to the public, and all members of the community are encouraged to attend.
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