In approximately 10 minutes, visitors of the Merced County Spring Fair in Los Banos can learn how to save a life.
Emanuel Medical Center is teaming up with Riggs Ambulance Service, of Merced, to teach bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Senior Day at the Spring Fair, which is slated for April 30.
“For people having a heart attack, the American Heart Association advises that hands-only CPR is just as effective as conventional CPR, and much better than no CPR,” said Riggs Education Coordinator Brian Boucher. “Riggs paramedics will be at the Emanuel booth on Senior Day, which will be located in the O’Banion Auditorium, to help people learn this simple method.”
Unlike conventional CPR, which includes breathing into someone’s mouth, bystander CPR has just two steps and requires only hands. According to the American Heart Association, the first step is to call 911 and next to perform steady compressions on the center of a patient’s chest.
Sue Micheletti, CEO of Emanuel, is excited to be at the Merced County Spring Fair to help educate about heart disease — the nation’s leading cause of death for both men and women.
“Since 2010, Emanuel has been building a quality cardiac care program, and we are the only designated heart attack receiving center between Modesto and Fresno,” Micheletti said. “For a lot of people in Merced County, we’re the closest hospital with the staff, equipment and program to provide immediate life-saving cardiac care.”
Every fair guest who completes the short training will receive a free drawstring tote from Emanuel. In addition, anyone who visits the booth can spin a wheel to answer heart health questions and win prizes.
