LAGRANGE, IND. – Feb. 26, 2025 – As American Heart Month comes to a close, Parkview LaGrange Hospital is reminding area residents that learning CPR is an important way to be prepared in case of a cardiac emergency.
Why should you learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)? Consider these 2024 facts from the American Heart Association:
- Fewer than 50% of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest receive the immediate CPR they need before professional help arrives.
- Almost 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests that occur outside a hospital happen in the home.
- Each year, about 90% of the people who experience cardiac arrest away from a hospital will not survive.
- More than 23,000 children suffer cardiac arrest each year; nearly 40% of those incidents happen in relation to sports-related activities.
CPR is an easy-to-learn skill that could help save a life when medical assistance is not immediately at hand. Since 2022, Parkview LaGrange Hospital’s EMS team has been offering quarterly classes of the American Heart Association’s Heartsaver CPR for the public, and classes are again available in 2025.
Past participants have praised the class for giving clear instructions, great training and answers to questions, and the confidence to provide aid in a crisis.
“Everyone should attend this class!” said Nancy Teagarden about her experience. “After attending, I really feel that I could now step in, in an emergency, and perform CPR, use an AED and apply a tourniquet.”
In a heart attack, accident or drowning situation, every second counts because when a person’s heart stops beating, their brain is deprived of oxygen.
“If someone on the scene knows CPR, they can begin chest compressions immediately to get the person’s blood circulating again until our EMS team or other first responders arrive,” said Logan Ison, EMS manager for Parkview LaGrange and Parkview Noble hospitals. “The more area residents who know CPR, the better the chances that a life can be saved.”
2025 classes will be held at the EMS station, 982 N. Townline Road, LaGrange, on these dates:
- Tuesday, March 18, from 2 to 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 17, from 9 to 11 a.m.
- Thursday, Sept. 18, from 2 to 4 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 12, from 9 to 11 a.m.
Instructors will help participants become familiar with the technique for performing CPR on someone whose heart has stopped beating. Participants will practice on training manikins, so class size is limited to 12 people per session to ensure everyone gets to practice. In addition, basic first aid is covered in the class.
Anyone age 13 or older may participate. Cost for the class is $20 per person. Participants will receive American Heart Association certification in the form of an official CPR card, delivered electronically.
Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Visit www.Parkview.com/CPR for more information and to register. Registration and payment must be completed no later than five days ahead of the class date. Please call 260-278-0367 to make payment arrangements.