BY JENNIFER STATHIS
stathis@newsroom.byu.edu
In conjunction with the American Red Cross, Congressman Chris Cannon, R-Utah, is working to promote one member of every family or business to certify in CPR. Cannon will certify in adult CPR Saturday and invites all members of the community ages 17 and older to earn their own certifications.
Cannon co-sponsored a bill with Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, in September -- H. Con res. 139 -- which designates the third weekend as national CPR weekend.
The bill was brought on in the wake of several Utah natural disasters. Cannon said it is essential to have the skills that can lessen the devastation from potential injuries and accidents. He also said that victims of heart disease and cardiac arrest have a higher survival rate if CPR is administered immediately after an arrest.
In recognizing the success of the increasing rate of survivals due to CPR administration, the bill sponsors sought to enhance public awareness of the need of such training.
Deputy Press Secretary Cindy Hartley said, 'We want to encourage everyone to participate in the efforts of the American Red Cross. You never know when you'll need to administer CPR.'
American Red Cross certificates can be earned in adult, child and infant CPR and First Aid. Certification will be held at 865 N. Freedom Blvd from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The cost is $30, and books are included. To register, call the congressional office at 379-2500.
'We all have a responsibility to become trained in the life-saving technique of CPR,' Cannon said.