Health

Got Five Minutes to Save a Life?

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You might be able to save a life with hands-only CPR. In less than five minutes – at nearly 30 locations across San Diego County – you can learn hands-only CPR as part of the annual “Sidewalk CPR” day Tuesday, June 4.

Hands-only CPR is cardio pulmonary resuscitation without the mouth-to-mouth breaths and is recommended for use by people who see an adult suddenly collapse. Traditional CPR is still recommended for all infants and children, drowning victims and adult victims who are already found unconscious and not breathing.

“Hands-only CPR is safe, effective and easy for people to learn,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., county public health officer. “In less than five minutes people can to learn how to do it and know their actions can help save lives.”

San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Emergency Medical Services staff are joining with several community partners including the American Red Cross and local fire departments to demonstrate the procedure. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease. Every year about 785,000 Americans have a first heart attack. Approximately 470,000 people who have already had one or more attacks have another.

More people could survive cardiac arrest if someone nearby immediately delivers CPR. The new system, which is easier, may encourage more people to do it. Unfortunately, less than one fourth of those who suffer a heart attack receive CPR from a bystander. 

The prompt delivery of CPR more than doubles a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival by helping maintain a blood flow to the heart and brain.

Here is a complete list of locations offering the free training on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. except where noted:

UCSD Medical Center (10:00 – 2:00),  200 W. Arbor Dr., San Diego

UCSD Thornton (10:00 – 2:00), 9300 Campus Pt. Dr., La Jolla

UCSD Cadiovascular Center (10:00 – 2:00), 9434 Medical Center Dr., La Jolla

Plaza Bonita Shopping Mall, 3030 Plaza Bonita Rd., National City

Imperial Beach Pier Plaza, 10 Evergreen, Imperial Beach

Albertson’s San Marcos, 151 Woodland Ave., San Marcos

Albertson’s San Marcos, 1929 W San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos

Escondido Fire Station #4, 3301 Bear Valley Pkwy., Escondido

Target Center Vista, 1751 University D.r, Vista

Red Cross Training Classroom, (12:30 – 1:30) 3950 Calle Fortunada, San Diego

Coronado Rotary Plaza, Coronado

Oceanside Lifeguard Headquarters, 301 N. The Strand, Oceanside

Oceanside West Wal-Mart, 2100 Vista Way, Oceanside

Pala Fire Dept, 34884 Lilac Ext. Rd, Pala

Civic Center Plaza San Diego, 202 “C” St., San Diego

Carlsbad Blvd – Grass area next to Harbor Fish, 3100 Block Carlsbad Blvd.

Downtown San Diego, 225 Broadway, San Diego

YMCA Chula Vista, 1201 Paseo Magda, Chula Vista

Julian Main Street, Multiple sites along Main St., Julian

Santa Ysabel, Don’s Market, Santa Ysabel

Cameron Family YMCA , 10123 Riverwalk Dr., Santee      

Albertson’s & Starbucks Center, 2955 Alpine Blvd, Alpine

Daniels Market, 5256 S. Mission Rd., Bonsall

Albertson’s Market, 1133 S. Mission Rd., Fallbrook

Fresh & Easy, 1101 S. Main St., Fallbrook

Major Market, 854 S. Main St., Fallbrook

Public Health Center, 606 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido

County Operations Center, Building 5510, 5510 Overland Dr., San Diego

Marine Corps Air Station – Mira Mar, Main Exchange & Family Readiness

Tom Christensen is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact