Heart Niagara turns to YouTube to promote CPR and AED training
Heart Niagara has launched a series of educational videos on how to perform CPR and use an automated external defibrillator in the event of a cardiac emergency.
“Raising awareness of the importance of knowing CPR and how to use an AED has been a challenge this year due to COVID-19,” said executive director Karen Stearne.
“The pandemic has made each of us reassess how we receive information that is essential.”
The new virtual programming, launched this week to mark national CPR Month, features a series of short educational videos on the non-profit agency’s YouTube channel — https://bit.ly/3eREVE9.
Effective bystander CPR when used with an AED following a cardiac arrest, can double a person’s chances of survival.
Studies suggest people who have taken aCPR and/or first aid course are considerably more confident in their skills to help someone experiencing a medical emergency.
“People often wonder why we need to be training to respond in case of emergency,” Stearne said.
“Sudden cardiac arrest is a frequently misunderstood worldwide killer. It can affect anyone, anywhere, any time.”
Sudden cardiac arrest, which claims the lives of 40,0000 Canadians each year, occurs when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions and the heart suddenly stops beating. Defibrillation is the only way to re-establish a regular heart beat. The digital format will also support Heart Niagara’s Healthy Heart Schools’ Program.
Typically, the agency reaches 3,500plus students annually through the program, however in-class training and education has been cancelled due to the pandemic.
Heart Niagara created a Google Classroom to provide resources for teachers and students including health and physical education curriculum modules and CPR and AED education.
For additional information, visit heartniagara.com or call 905-358-5552.