If you see some collapse suddenly and they are not responsive or breathing normally, you want to Call-Push-Shock. This means you want to immediately call 911, begin hands-only CPR by pushing hard and fast on the center of their chest, and use an AED to restart their heart. Let’s say you didn’t see a person collapse, but you find someone who is unresponsive. In this case, you also want to immediately Call-Push-Shock. Victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest will sometimes gasp or shake as if having a seizure. This does not mean that they are breathing normally or responsive and you want to immediately Call-Push-Shock. If a person is not responding, don’t keep trying to wake them up – they will not and your fast response is critical for their survival. Learn more about how to Call-Push-Shock!

You don’t have to be a medical professional to use an AED. In fact, AEDs are designed to be used by laypeople without medical training! Studies show that even 6th graders can safely and effectively operate these lifesaving devices. AEDs provide clear audio and visual instructions that guide rescuers through the simple steps of AED operation. Once the AED electrode pads are placed on a person’s chest, the AED reads their heart rhythm to determine if the person needs a lifesaving defibrillation shock or not. AEDs will only deliver a shock if a person needs it.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest claims the lives of over 350,000 Americans each year, including members of our community here in Forsyth. Survival rates from cardiac arrest are very low (~10%) and we want to change that! With the 4-Minute City program, we will be implementing state-of-the-art technology to save lives in Forsyth.