CPR and AED Awareness Week
Effective Date: Friday, June 1st, 2012
WHEREAS, heart disease affects men, women, and children of every age and race in the United States, and continues to be the leading cause of death in America; and
WHEREAS, sudden cardiac arrest results from an abnormal heart rhythm in most adults, often ventricular fibrillation; and
WHEREAS, prompt delivery of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) more than doubles the victim’s chance of survival; and
WHEREAS, moreover, an automated external defibrillator (AED), even when used by a bystander, is safe, easy to operate and, if used immediately after the onset of sudden cardiac arrest, highly effective in terminating ventricular fibrillation so the heart can resume a normal, effective rhythm; and
WHEREAS, for every minute without bystander CPR, survival from witnessed cardiac arrest decreases by seven to ten percent. The interval between calling 911 and the arrival of Emergency Medical Services personnel is usually longer than five minutes, leaving a cardiac arrest victim’s survival likely dependent on a bystander trained in CPR and AED use and access to these lifesaving devices; and
WHEREAS, Alaska has unique geographic challenges supporting the critical need for families and friends to be trained in CPR and AED use; and
WHEREAS, during the first week of June, the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, and the National Safety Council are preparing a public awareness and training campaign on CPR and AED use.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sean Parnell, Governor of the State of Alaska, do hereby proclaim June 1-7, 2012 as:
CPR and AED Awareness Week
in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to become properly trained in CPR and AED usage to be prepared in the event of a medical emergency.
Dated: June 1, 2012
