Building a Nation of Lifesavers in Mississippi

June 1-7 is National CPR and Awareness Week. It offers the perfect opportunity to remind everyone how to save a life during a cardiac emergency. That’s why we urge everyone to learn Hands-Only CPR.

Why it Matters

Every year, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States. Tragically, 90% will be fatal. However, immediate action can save lives. When someone starts CPR right away and uses an AED (automated external defibrillator), they can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.

However, less than half of all people who need this lifesaving intervention receive CPR from bystanders before professional help arrives. In part, this gap exists because more than two in three people in the U.S. still think only people with medical training should step in. That hesitation can cost precious time — and lives.

That’s why, during CPR and AED Awareness Week, the American Heart Association challenges everyone to join the Nation of Lifesavers and commit to making CPR and AED awareness and education a permanent fixture in every community across the country.

What is Happening in Mississippi

Through our advocacy efforts, we have made meaningful progress in Mississippi. Together with Heart Powered advocates, we have successfully advanced policies that are saving lives:

• CPR as a high school graduation requirement: Requires schools to train students in grades 9-12 in hands-on CPR to prepare students to act in a cardiac emergency.
• Telecommunicator assisted CPR (T-CPR): Provides that when someone dials 911 the person on the other end of the line is trained to recognize a cardiac arrest and coach the caller on how to perform CPR until advanced medical help arrives.
• Cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs): Calls for schools and school athletics to have a plan in place to response to cardiac emergencies in these settings.

Because of the strong efforts of advocates and elected leaders, Mississippi now stands better prepared to respond to cardiac emergencies. The state continues to grow as part of the Nation of Lifesavers.

Getting Involved

In a cardiac emergency, anyone can be the difference before professional help arrives. The power to save a life is in your hands. Start by learning CPR at heart.org/nation.

Then, take the next step by learning more about our policy work and ongoing efforts to build a Nation of Lifesavers here.

Finally, use your superpower – your story. Personal experiences bring issues to life for decision makers and inspire change. When you share your story, you help drive real impact. Simply click here to get started.

Don’t wait. Help us build a Nation of Lifesavers today!