We often think about wellness as eating healthy, exercising, getting enough sleep, and taking care of our mental health. But there is another part of wellness that can literally make the difference between life and death: being prepared to help someone in a medical emergency.
At the Feeney Legacy Project (FLP), we believe everyone should know what to do when someone’s heart stops. You don’t have to be a doctor, nurse, or first responder. You just need to be willing to take action.
Cardiac Arrest Can Happen Anywhere
Cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively. It can happen without warning to someone at home, at work, at a sporting event, at a restaurant, or while spending time with friends.
When cardiac arrest occurs, every second matters.
Calling 911 immediately and starting hands-only CPR can help keep blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs until professional help arrives. Waiting for someone else to act can cost precious minutes.
That’s why FLP shares a simple message:
CALL 911.
ADMINISTER HANDS-ONLY CPR.
BE SOMEONE’S SECOND CHANCE.
Hands-Only CPR: You Can Do It
Many people hesitate to help because they are afraid they will do something wrong. They may think they need extensive training or must perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
For an adult who suddenly collapses and is not breathing normally, Hands-Only CPR is a simple way to begin helping.
It involves two important steps:
1. Call 911.
Get emergency medical help on the way immediately.
2. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest.
Keep going until professional help arrives or the person shows signs of life.
You don’t need to be perfect. Doing something is better than standing by and doing nothing.
Don’t Be a Bystander. Be an Upstander. Take Action.
At FLP, we use the word Upstander because it represents a choice.
A bystander watches.
An Upstander takes action.
Being an Upstander doesn’t mean you have all the answers. It means you recognize that someone needs help and you are willing to step forward.
If someone collapses, don’t look around the room hoping someone else will respond. Be the person who calls 911. Be the person who starts CPR. Be the person who gives someone a second chance.
CPR Training Builds Stronger Communities
Learning CPR isn’t just an individual skill. It is an investment in your family, your friends, your coworkers, and your community.
Imagine a community where more people know how to recognize cardiac arrest, call 911 immediately, and confidently perform Hands-Only CPR.
More people would be prepared to respond.
More people would feel confident instead of helpless.
And more people would have a chance to survive.
CPR training can turn ordinary people into confident responders when an emergency happens. Consider taking a CPR class, encouraging your workplace to offer training, or learning Hands-Only CPR with your family and friends.
You never know when someone you love–or someone sitting next to you–may need you.
Wellness Is More Than Taking Care of Yourself
This Wellness Month, challenge yourself to think beyond your own health and well-being.
Eat well. Move your body. Get enough sleep. Take care of your mental health.
And add one more thing to your wellness checklist:
Learn how to save a life.
At the Feeney Legacy Project, we honor Feeney’s life by encouraging people to take action when someone is in medical crisis. His story reminds us that a simple decision of calling 911 can be incredibly powerful.
You can be someone’s second chance.
Don’t be a BYSTANDER.
BE AN UPSTANDER.
CALL 911.
LEARN HANDS-ONLY CPR.
BE A LIFESAVER.
This Wellness Month, take care of yourself and be ready to take care of someone else.
This post has been contributed by a third party. The opinions, facts and any media content are presented solely by the author, and Atlanta Jewish Connector assumes no responsibility for them. Want to add your voice to the conversation? Publish your own post here.
