As October marks Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Awareness Month, the American Red Cross is issuing an urgent call to action, encouraging everyone to enroll in crucial CPR and AED training to potentially save a life when every second counts.

Sudden cardiac arrest is a major public health crisis, striking more than 350,000 people outside of a hospital setting in the U.S. each year. The consequences are often dire: approximately 90% of these incidents result in death, a stark statistic that underscores the vital need for immediate and informed intervention.

Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating normally due to abnormal electrical activity. Since more than 70% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in the home, the chance of survival often rests with a family member or bystander.

Training Can Triple Survival Rates

The Red Cross stresses that when the heart stops, every second counts. Delivering immediate CPR by a bystander can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival. With such high stakes, the organization is ramping up efforts during October to ensure more people have the necessary skills to act quickly.

“Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere and at any time without warning,” said Alicia Doherty, CEO of the Red Cross of Georgia. “It’s important to be ready to take action, whether that’s calling 911, starting chest compressions or using an AED. Red Cross training can give you the skills and confidence to act in an emergency.”

Last year alone, more than 6.6 million people turned to the Red Cross for First Aid, CPR, AED, and other lifesaving courses, gaining the skills and confidence required to act when moments matter most.

Global Awareness Day Focuses on Bystanders

The awareness efforts culminate internationally on October 16th with the World Restart a Heart initiative. This global initiative is designed to increase awareness about the importance of knowing what to do in an emergency and learning Hands-Only CPR. The goal is to save lives by increasing the rate of bystanders getting involved and providing CPR to someone in need.

Take Action Today

The American Red Cross offers a range of training formats, including online, blended learning, and in-person classes, designed to fit various schedules and learning styles.

To join the effort and gain the skills necessary to save a life, the public is encouraged to sign up for classes today.

Visit redcross.org/takeaclass to register for training.

Additionally, the Red Cross provides accessible digital tools for instant guidance during an emergency. The public can download the free Red Cross First Aid app or activate the First Aid Skill for Alexa-enabled devices for immediate access to information on what to do during an emergency.

About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families.