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December 5, 2019Shen Students Prepared to Deal with Sudden Cardiac Arrest After Today’s CPR Training
Although more research is needed to determine the cause, there is a 4.2 percent increase in heart-related deaths occurring away from a hospital between Dec. 25 and Jan. 7, according to a 2016 American Heart Association study.
Should sudden cardiac arrest happen, students at Shenendehowa will be prepared, thanks to Albany Med and the American Heart Association.
On Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 11 a.m. in Room 119 in Shenendehowa High School East, Albany Med presented an American Heart Association CPR in Schools Kit to the Shenendehowa Central School District. Under the guidance of Dr. Michael Dailey of Albany Med, students in Dan Marek’s health class will perform Hands-Only CPR.
“Heart-related deaths spike during the holiday season,” said Dr. Michael Dailey, Albany Med’s Chief of Prehospital and Operational Medicine, and expert spokesman for the American Heart Association. “Most happen at home, and CPR doubles or triples the chances of survival. Knowing how to perform Hands-Only CPR could mean the difference between life and death. With the Heart Association, Albany Med is donating these CPR in Schools kits to support Shen’s ongoing instruction and to continue to fight heart disease in our community.”
Shenendehowa has a long history of teaching Hands-Only CPR. They were a CPR Smart School when the American Heart Association first launched its efforts to pass the CPR in Schools law. That law went into effect in 2016, and now, everyone who graduates from a New York high school learns Hands-Only CPR.
“Health Education classes at Shenendehowa High school continue to focus on teaching all students the skills necessary to be able to provide CPR in a cardiac emergency,” said Rebecca Carman, Director of Policy and Community Development at Shenendehowa Central Schools. “Having the skills and confidence to respond can save a life! In order to be able to effectively provide these skills, it is critical that we have CPR kits. We are extremely thankful for the donation of American Heart Association CPR kits that have been provided by Albany Med.”
Nearly 300,000 people suffer sudden cardiac arrest each year, and only 11 percent survive. Having CPR performed doubles or triples the chances of survival.
Albany Med and the American Heart Association continue to collaborate during 2019 to improve heart health in the Capital Region.
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