Each year, close to 40,000 sudden cardiac arrests occur in Canada — that’s roughly one every 12 minutes. To get a good handle on just how many people will be affected by sudden cardiac arrest this year, consider that Orillia’s population is roughly 31,000. Cardiac arrests can strike without warning and little-to-no symptoms prior to attack. Most happen in homes or public spaces like hockey rinks, community centres or your local Orillia gym — a place where many Canadians spend time for leisure and recreation activities.
Prepare to Save Lives
Just like daily exercise and a well-balanced diet can help reduce your risk of sudden cardiac arrest, being prepared in the event of an emergency can increase the chance of survival. With the right equipment and training, the instance of cardiac arrest survival can increase by up to 75 per cent. Performing CPR and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) before emergency services arrive on scene can mean the difference between life and death.
Restart a Heart: AEDs & CPR
AEDs are safe, easy to use and make the odds of surviving a cardiac arrest increase dramatically. They might seem daunting to new users, but with the right training, anyone can use them to save a life. As more defibrillators are installed and available for use in public spaces and as more people are trained and confident to use them, thousands of Canadian lives can be saved each year. CPR training is offered across Canada through several training formats and levels. Looking for local CPR training in the Orillia area? The Heart and Stroke Foundation makes the search easy.
In partnership with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canadian government has committed $10 million in funding to a four-year initiative that will place 2,000 life-saving defibrillators in public spaces like hockey arenas and community centres across Canada. Funding also includes training approximately 20,000 Canadians how to effectively use life-saving AEDs in an emergency situation. It’s a significant step in protecting the hearts and lives of those closest to us in case of a cardiac arrest.
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