Learn to Save Lives at Sidewalk CPR Day June 6

Antelope Valley residents can learn to save a life for free during Sidewalk CPR Day on Thursday, June 6. Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC) in partnership with American Medical Response (AMR) will provide “hands-only” CPR training from 9 a.m. to noon at the Community Resource Center, 44151 15th Street West, and from 4 to 9 p.m. at the farmer’s market on Lancaster Boulevard between Fern and Ehrlich avenues in downtown Lancaster. AVMC is one of nearly 100 sites throughout Los Angeles County to participate in Sidewalk CPR Day. Hands-only CPR training takes just 10 minutes.
“Our team is passionate about caring for our community,” said hospital CEO Ed Mirzabegian. “We jumped at the chance to take this year’s Sidewalk CPR festivities to downtown Lancaster and engage our fellow neighbors, friends and residents by giving them lifesaving knowledge.”

Also known as compression-only CPR, hands-only CPR is different from conventional mouth-to-mouth CPR. It is designed to give people basic skills, which if provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival until emergency responders arrive. Frequent chest compressions move oxygenated blood through the body, keeping the brain and other vital organs alive until the heart can be restarted. During Sidewalk CPR Day, participants will receive information about the signs of sudden cardiac arrest and instruction on how to perform effective chest compressions.

“Hands-free CPR is a non-invasive way for bystanders to make a difference and save lives while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive,” said Maureen Fitzgerald, RN, cardiovascular clinical coordinator