American Medical Response (AMR) set out to break a world record on May 22 to train as many of people as possible in compression-only CPR within a 24-hour span. The event was part of AMR’s nationwide observance of National Emergency Medical Services Week as well as the World CPR Challenge Day to train as many people as possible in compression-only CPR.
In Contra Costa County, AMR had three locations with one being at the Streets of Brentwood where they managed to train 151 people at that location. For all of Contra Costa County, 570 people were trained which included locations in Concord and Richmond which exceeded their goal of 400 for the event.
As of Wednesday night, before the West Cost and Hawaii numbers were available, a total of 31,000 across the nation had been trained—their goal was 40,000 for the event. Thursday, a post via AMR was seen highlighting more than 51,000 people had been trained.
According to Leslie Mueller, Central Manager of American Medical Response for Contra Costa County, the event was created during their annual clinical meeting when Doug Petrick, GM of Monterey County stated the idea.
Mueller recalled him stating, “Wouldn’t be amazing if we could get every AMR operation nationally on the same day to train as many people as possible in CPR and break the World Record? As the discussion unfolded, We picked May 22, right in the middle of National EMS Week to hit the streets.”
The event, however, was more than a record; it was about the big picture and saving as many lives as possible and cancelling funerals.
“We know from local Cardiac Arrest data and national American Heart Association research that early 911 access and immediate bystander CPR provides the non-breathing and pulseless patient the best opportunity for survival. Through our partnership in the communities donating AED’s to large public locations and schools together training people “Hands only CPR” lives are being saved and people are returning home to share with their families in birthdays, weddings graduations, etc. With the citizens engagement in caring for one another we are cancelling a lot of funerals,” explained Mueller.
The event also highlighted the hard work that goes into CPR compressions and how tiring it could get and it’s not as easy as it looks—after two minutes, people begin to get tired based on how hard they have to push to hear the clicking sound.
Supervisor Mary Piepho stated during the event that it was her “cardio exercise” for the day because its tiring and more work than people realize.
It can be said, there is a “wow factor” that goes along with CPR Compressions. Mueller agreed.
“Absolutely there is a wow factor. People including children as young as 5 years old were thrilled to learn and perform CPR on the mannequins,” said Mueller. “What we heard was…’ I didn’t know it would be so easy to do CPR’, ‘Now I feel like I could do more than just call 911’, ‘ I would help someone who was unconscious…I can do CPR’ a 12yr old told me he was so excited to show his Mom his participation certificate as she would be so proud of him. We usually trained in groups of 6 and they cheered each other on, high 5’d, and often shared a personal story why they were glad to be prepared… Our EMT’s and Paramedics were so excited to be engaging the public in a training role rather than always during a life threatening crisis.”
During the event, AMR had 8 Caregivers at each location and they were bringing people in one by one to be part breaking a World Record and engage the public.
“I heard one paramedic say to a couple, let me show you how you can save someone’s life until I arrive. The energy was amazing and truly contagious! We even had 2 Cardiac Arrest survivors stop by to again share their stories and thank the paramedics. These are blessed and thankful people looking at live through a brighter lens,” said Mueller.
I will update this story when I hear official word on a World Record.
