Claremont Passers-By Get Surprise CPR Lesson

Several people in Claremont got instruction on how to save lives thanks to Sidewalk CPR Day recently held on the sidewalk in front of the Chamber of Commerce.

The event was presented June 4 by Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center nurses and firefighters/paramedics from Los Angeles County Fire. It was one of 80 such events held throughout Los Angeles County.

Thirty-four passers-by were taught  hands-only CPR by the group, officials said.

Hands-only CPR focuses on the first few minutes following a cardiac arrest, since the lungs and blood contain only enough oxygen to keep vital organs healthy for that short amount of time, according to a Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center news release.

Chest compressions using hands-only CPR will provide the ongoing blood flow needed until emergency responders arrive at the scene, giving the patient a much better chance of survival, they wrote.

“Citizen CPR is a fast-growing movement to empower bystanders to save a live when someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest," said Deborah Keasler, RN, director of Cardiac Services at Pomona Valley Hospital. "With 80 percent of all cardiac arrests occurring at home, we need to help our community learn how to double or triple their loved one's chance of survival."

-- Story courtesy Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center