Building a Nation of Lifesavers in Washington

June 1–7 is National CPR and AED Awareness Week. It’s the perfect time to remind everyone how critical it is to know how to save a life during a cardiac emergency. We are urging everyone to learn Hands-Only CPR.

Why it Matters

More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur every year in the United States, and 90% will be fatal. Immediate CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) use can double or even triple someone’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest. But sadly, less than half of people who need this lifesaving intervention receive CPR from bystanders before professional help arrives.

This CPR and AED Awareness Week, the American Heart Association is challenging everyone to join the Nation of Lifesavers and commit to making CPR and AED awareness and education a permanent fixture in every community.

What is Happening in Washington

Washington has been a leader in preparing students to respond to cardiac emergencies, with CPR in Schools requirements in place for more than a decade—ensuring generations of students graduate with lifesaving skills.

Building on this strong foundation, we are now advancing Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) to ensure schools are not only trained, but fully prepared with coordinated, practiced response protocols and AEDs on site ready if needed.

Thanks to this sustained leadership and forward momentum, Washington continues to set the standard in building a Nation of Lifesavers.

Getting Involved

You can help! Learn more about our policy work and efforts to build a Nation of Lifesavers here.

Use your superpower.  Your personal experience brings issues to life for decision makers.  And that is powerful!  Help us build a Nation of Lifesavers by sharing your story.  Simply click here to tell us all about it.