150 Scarsdale Residents Learn CPR

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, cardiac arrest results in about 300,000 to 450,000 deaths in the United States each year. Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention—90% of people who have a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die within minutes due to insufficient blood flow to vital organs. However, the American Heart Association states that the immediate administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to a patient can double or even triple that person’s chance of survival.

Recognizing that bystander intervention is a critical aspect of pre-hospital care, Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps (SVAC) organized a Friends & Family CPR Class at the Scarsdale Public Highschool. Morning and afternoon training sessions were hosted on May 7^th, 2023, where a total of 150 residents learned how to perform hands-only CPR. The program was truly a community effort, with instructors from SVAC, Larchmont Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and Irvington Volunteer Ambulance Crops attending to teach. The combined effort of the participating organizations was essential to the success of the program.

According to Angela Manson, a dedicated member of SVAC, the organization is always looking for new volunteers. Manson stated that SVAC runs year-round EMT classes and that no experience is needed to participate in their programs. Above all, she emphasized that the programs would equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to manage medical emergencies. More information on available courses can be found here. 

01/22