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Family and Friends CPR® Training

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Out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest is responsible for an estimated 160,000 deaths a year nationally. CPR, or CardioPulmonary Resuscitation, is a life-saving technique that helps increase survival rates for victims of cardiac arrest. It works by maintaining blood flow to the heart and brain until help arrives.  The Family and Friends CPR program teaches hands only adult CPR, proper use of an AED, how to help a choking victim and other life saving tips including Stop-The-Bleed.

What would you do...?

  • If a heart attack happened to a loved one or a close friend? Would you know how to perform life saving CPR, which can double a victim's chance of survival?

  • If your child started to choke and stopped breathing? Would you know how to clear the airway and start CPR?

  • If your father was suddenly confused, had trouble speaking or had a sudden, severe headache with no known cause? Would you know that these could be signs of a stroke?

Did you know...?

  • 75-80% of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home, so being trained to perform CPR can mean the difference between life and death.

  • Approximately 95% of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before reaching the hospital.

  • Brain death starts to occur 4 – 6 minutes after someone experiences cardiac arrest if CPR is not started during those first crucial minutes.

The majority of Americans don't know...

If you answered "no" to any of the above questions, you're not alone. The vast majority of Americans don't know how to perform CPR or know the signs of a stroke or heart attack. But you will know after you attend the Punta Gorda Fire Dept.’s free Family and Friends CPR course!

The Family and Friends CPR program does not offer CPR certification, Instead, our primary goal is to raise awareness of the importance of immediate action in response to sudden cardiac arrest.  You will receive a free informational book to keep as a reference, courtesy of ShorePoint Health Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte.

Classes are held by request. Contact the City of Punta Gorda Fire Dept. at (941) 575-5529 to arrange for a class.