Statewide Pilot of Community-Centric Approach to CPR and AED Education for the Public with Specific Focus on Underserved Populations

Summary: We will discuss the first-ever statewide free CPR and AED Education Day for the Public as piloted in Virginia on June 3, 2023. This is a sustainable model for a National Day of Celebrating CPR and AED Education for the public.

Synopsis: Over the last 50 years, survival from out of hospital cardiac arrest has remained relatively unchanged, despite advancements in medicine and technology. This is the case because the public has been left behind. Recent research published in the New England Journal of Medicine also identified a significant lack of bystander CPR among Black and Hispanic communities, compared to White communities. The Compress and Shock Foundation was founded in an effort to change the statistics and increase survival from cardiac arrest by providing free and equitable access to CPR and AED education to all communities with a specific dedication to those communities most adversely affected by cardiac arrest. To do this, we have created a free 1 hour compression only CPR and AED use course specifically designed for the layperson. We pair this with a sustainable, community-centric approach to identifying and connecting with communities across the country. On top of our education, we have also begun an AED Access Program to increase public access to AEDs and incentivize learners to attend the training. Each year on the first Saturday of June, to kick off National CPR and AED Awareness Week, we host our Annual CPR and AED Education Day and challenge the public to own the outcome. This year, we are collaborating with the AHA in Virginia to pilot a statewide CPR and AED Education Day for the public designed to be sustainable and reproducible in any state.