February 1, 2010 (Toronto, ON) – February is “Heart Month” and St. John Ambulance wants you to be prepared to save a life. According to Statistics Canada, in 2005 alone, more than 71,000 Canadians died of major cardiovascular diseases. The Public Health Agency of Canada reports that for every minute that passes without medical assistance, an individual’s chances of surviving is reduced by up to 10%. Early administration of CPR and Automatic External Defibrillation (AED) drastically improves the odds of a casualty surviving to the hospital.

CPR works by providing two basic life support actions: Artificial Respiration – providing oxygen to the lungs: and Artificial Circulation – causing blood to flow to the brain and organs. AEDs are designed to detect and shock two types of Heart Rhythms: Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) and Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia (VT). Upon detection, the AED will deliver a shock to the heart that momentarily stops all electrical activity. This pause allows the heart’s own pacemaker to resume command and begin beating normally again.

Today, many public places such as arenas and shopping malls have public access AEDs; these easy to use machines have proven invaluable in a cardiac emergency. Though people should also be aware that the majority of cardiac episodes happen in the home, meaning a family member will have to perform CPR until medical help arrives. Getting trained in First Aid, CPR and AED can help an individual learn to respond with confidence should an emergency arise.

To learn First Aid, CPR and AED contact your local St. John Ambulance, or visit www.sja.ca  

For 125 years, St. John Ambulance has been training over 140,000 Ontarians annually in first aid and other health care related courses and remains dedicated to saving lives at work, home and play. With over 4,000 volunteers contributing over half a million hours of community service a year, St. John Ambulance is an integral part of the community offering such unique and innovative programs as; medical first response, disaster response, car seat clinics, health and safety related youth programs and therapy dog services. As a charitable, non-denominational, humanitarian organization, proceeds from St. John Ambulance’s first aid training and first aid product sales directly support these vital community services programs. For more information on St. John Ambulance training courses and volunteer opportunities or to contact your local branch, visit www.sja.ca