The lifesaving skill every family needs to know this February

Emergencies happen in the blink of an eye, especially when it comes to your children. Being prepared can mean the difference between life and death. For many, the first instinct is to call 9-1-1. But in the case of sudden cardiac arrest, calling for help alone isn’t enough. Knowing CPR can empower you to be your child’s first lifesaver.

Take 16-year-old Ryder Radecki’s story. During his school basketball practice, Ryder went into sudden cardiac arrest. Thanks to quick action, CPR, and an AED, a team of people saved his life. Today, Ryder serves as a national Youth Heart Ambassador for the American Heart Association, using his story to advocate for heart health and the importance of learning CPR.

Ryder’s experience is a powerful reminder: cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time. Every year, over 350,000 cardiac arrests happen outside of hospitals, including 23,000 among children. For parents, this is especially sobering, as most cardiac arrests occur at home. That’s why it’s so important to know CPR. While Hands-Only CPR is effective for adults and teens in the first critical moments, performing CPR on children and infants requires breaths in addition to chest compressions.

This February, during American Heart Month, the American Heart Association is encouraging families to join the Nation of Lifesavers™ by learning CPR. Parents can access resources like online CPR courses, CPR Anytime® Training Kits, and local Heartsaver™ certification classes to ensure they’re ready for any emergency.

For families with school-aged children, the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™ are fantastic opportunities to introduce lifesaving skills to kids while teaching the importance of heart health. These service-learning, in-school programs empower students to take charge of their health and learn critical skills like Hands-Only CPR.

By completing Finn’s Mission as part of these programs, students not only gain lifesaving knowledge but also have the chance to earn exciting rewards—like tickets to Super Bowl LX.

Visit heart.org/getstarted to find resources and bring Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge to your student’s school so we can empower the next generation of lifesavers.