Metra, the American Heart Association and Illinois Heart Rescue team up to save lives

Metra, the American Heart Association and Illinois Heart Rescue are teaming up to provide lifesaving demonstrations at the Palatine Metra station on Thursday, June 1 during the morning rush hour.

Metra customers will receive a quick lesson on how to correctly administer the new hands-only CPR method and a tutorial on how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). These demonstrations are being offered as part of CPR and AED Awareness Week June 1-7, a nationwide effort to increase public knowledge about how to save a life with CPR and AEDs.

Representatives from the American Heart Association and Illinois Heart Rescue will be at all five of Metra’s downtown Chicago stations from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 1. American Heart Association representatives will also be at the Palatine and Naperville train stations during the morning rush. Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno will also greet customers at Millennium Station between 6:30 a.m. and 8 a.m.

“Knowing what to do in an emergency situation can mean the difference between life and death,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “We are proud to partner with the American Heart Association and Illinois Heart Rescue to bring these lifesaving tips to our customers.”

An AED is an electronic device that gives an electric shock to the heart to help reestablish a normal heart rhythm in cases of arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) or cardiac arrest. AEDs are installed on all Metra trains and are also located throughout work facilities and carried on board Metra police vehicles.

As part of the event, the American Heart Association will present a 60-second demonstration of hands-only CPR with the assistance of a manikin. Hands-only CPR has two steps: 1) call 911, and 2) push hard and fast in the center of the chest. The Illinois Heart Rescue team will demonstrate how to use an AED and perform CPR.

“Thousands of people die from cardiac arrest each year because they don’t receive immediate CPR from someone on the scene,” said Brian Shields, executive director of the American Heart Association’s Chicago office. “CPR can double or even triple a victim’s chance of survival, and we’re excited to work with Metra and Illinois Heart Rescue to train commuters in this lifesaving skill.”

“Illinois Heart Rescue is honored to partner with Metra and the American Heart Association to provide bystander CPR and AED education,” said Illinois Heart Rescue Program Director Teri Campbell. “This simple and effective life skill can be taught in less than five minutes.”