Free CPR Training For Portland Metro Residents

PORTLAND, OR — Of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims in the United States, only about 40 percent receive CPR aid from bystanders prior to the arrival of first responders, and fewer than 10 percent actually survive.

Colorado-based medical transportation company American Medical Response (AMR) wants to improve those statistics by offering CPR training at several locations in the Portland metro region this week.

From May 20 through 26, AMR's local emergency medical service providers will collectively host the annual CPR World Challenge, which since 2013 has seen AMR representatives offer free CPR training to community members across the nation and in several other countries.

With more than 300,000 people trained to perform hands-only CPR in just five years, AMR's proactive approach to reducing cardiac arrest fatalities has directly contributed to a nearly 30-percent increase in the number of people who can offer CPR since 2010.

According to AMR officials, the bystander rate logged by the company in 2010 was just more than 21 percent. Today, that rate reportedly stands at nearly 50 percent.

Effective bystander-provided hands-only CPR can double or triple a victim's chance of survival, AMR officials said, noting that unless CPR or an automated external defibrillator is used within minutes of a cardiac arrest the chances of survival are low.

Working in partnership with the American College of Emergency Physicians and the International Association of Fire Chiefs, AMR will offer training at the following Portland-area locations:

• May 23
  • From 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. at David Douglas High School, 1001 S.E. 135th Ave. in Portland (for students and faculty); and
  • From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Clackamas Community College, 19600 S. Molalla Ave. in Oregon City.
• May 24
  • From 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI), 1945 Water Ave. in Portland; and
  • From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Oregon Health Authority offices at 800 N.E. Oregon St. in Portland.
• May 25
  • From 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Oregon Zoo, 4001 S.W. Canyon Rd. in Portland.

The May 23 training at CCC, the May 24 training and OHA's offices, and the May 25 training at the Oregon Zoo will also include Stop the Bleed hemorrhage control training for learning rescuers.

Top image via Low Sugar/Shutterstock