(Left to right) Chester County Commissioners Eric Roe, Chair Josh Maxwell and Marian Moskowitz demonstrate Hands-Only CPR under the instruction of Chester County EMS Operations Coordinator Larry Smythe (right) at the Commissioners’ February 14th Public Meeting. At the Valentine’s Day meeting, the Commissioners Proclaimed February as American Heart Month.
When a Valentine’s Day public meeting includes the recognition of American Heart Month, what better way to highlight both than to demonstrate a heart-saving, potentially life-saving technique?
At Wednesday’s public meeting, Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe proclaimed the County’s recognition of American Heart Month and practiced Hands-Only CPR on three adult-size Manikins, guided by members of the Chester County Department of Emergency Services. Support from the County’s emergency medical services (EMS) professionals included playing the Bee Gee’s 1977 classic Stayin’ Alive, used in CPR training because it is the perfect song for hitting the 100 to 120 beats per minute that is ideal for chest compressions.
According to the American Red Cross, Hands-Only CPR involves two crucial steps for helping a person suffering a cardiac arrest. Step one – call 9-1-1, and step two – perform chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 beats per minute, which, as noted, is more easily measured by relating to the tempo of Stayin’ Alive.
Each year, more than 350,000 EMS-assisted out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States, and when a person has a cardiac arrest, survival depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby.
Harry Moore, Chester County Deputy Director for EMS, said, “Thanks to many EMS agencies and non-profits throughout the county, there are opportunities year-round for residents of all ages to learn Hands-Only CPR. The more people we train, the greater the possibility of saving the life of someone who has gone into cardiac arrest, and as more than 70 precent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes, learning Hands-Only CPR could help save the life of someone you love – a child, a spouse, a parent, or friend.”
The following EMS agencies in Chester County provide Hands-Only CPR training:
Good Fellowship Ambulance & EMS Training Institute: https://www.goodfellowship.com/training/community-education/
Uwchlan Ambulance Corps & Training Institute: https://station87.com/education
Emergency Training Academy: https://www.emergencytraining.pro
