Stockbridge, Ga. (June 3, 2025) - According to the American Heart Association, around 90 percent of people who experience cardiac arrest at home, work or in a public place die because they don’t receive immediate CPR. June 1-7 each year is National CPR and AED Awareness Week and members of Piedmont Henry Hospital’s emergency department and trauma team want area residents to know that thousands of lives could be saved if more people knew CPR or how to use an AED.

“By acting fast and performing CPR within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, you can greatly improve that person’s chances of survival,” said Justin Keeton, manager of Piedmont Henry’s trauma program. “And CPR doesn’t have to include mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.”

Hands-only CPR is CPR without the rescue breaths. It consists of two easy steps: calling 911 and pushing hard and fast in the center of a person’s chest at 100 beats per minute. The ideal rate of chest compressions during CPR matches the beat of the song “Stayin’ Alive,” by The Bee Gees.

If an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is available, you should call 9-1-1, turn on the machine, remove clothing from the victim’s chest and ensure the skin is dry, attach the electrode pads as indicated on the device, and listen to the AED’s voice prompts for further instructions. The goal of the AED is to analyze the heart rhythm and deliver a shock if needed.

“Hands-only CPR helps continue to circulate blood to vital organs,” said Keeton. “Every second counts during a cardiac emergency and your efforts could save someone’s life.”

For more information on services provided by Piedmont Henry Hospital, visit piedmont.org/henry.