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Saturday June 5, 2010 delivered the forecasted sunshine but also brought life to our community. Over 200 citizens from the San Ramon Valley turned out to receive hands-on training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) during the first “CPR Saturday” event.
Adults, and children as young as 12, attended the free training at Monte Vista High School in Danville and Iron Horse Middle School in San Ramon. Participants came away with a host of valuable skills such as recognizing a cardiac arrest; utilizing the 911 and EMS system; proper chest compression techniques; and confidence in the use of an AED.
The program was organized by the San Ramon Valley HeartSafe Initiative – a partnership of several local agencies – intended to give residents the skills they need to save a life during a sudden cardiac emergency. The event was a fitting close to National CPR Recognition Week.
“This was a very important community event; one that can make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Andy Swartzell, EMS Coordinator for the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District. "Citizens who have this training are able to assist someone who is experiencing a cardiac arrest. One of the goals of the HeartSafe Initiative is to educate and train the public,” he explained. “Training is the key factor in having citizens confident in their ability to activate the 911 system, provide effective CPR and properly use an AED.”
The HeartSafe Community Initiative Committee would like to thank all the organizations that helped make this event possible. Partners in the CPR Saturday event include the City of San Ramon, Town of Danville, San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, American Heart Association, San Ramon Regional Medical Center, John Muir Medical Center, Kaiser Hospital of Walnut Creek and Contra Costa Health Services.
Other participating organizations and businesses include the Darius Jones Foundation, San Ramon Valley Firefighters Local 3546, American Medical Response/Northern California Training Institute, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, Your Safety Place, Philips Healthcare, and American Health.
Swartzell, also the co-chair of the HeartSafe Initiative, stated that he was very pleased with the high turnout and strongly felt that the knowledge gained by the participants of CPR Saturday would benefit the entire community.
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