Take a Class Resources Blog Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month

  • Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month

    October is sudden cardiac awareness month.

    Date Published: October 1, 2024

    October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Awareness Month. National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month is a call to action meant to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest signs and symptoms and illuminate how it affects people and what to do to help save lives.

    CPR/AED training is especially important because 70% of all cardiac arrests happen in the home, so the life you may save could be a family member or friend.

    Red Cross training gives you the skills and confidence to act when a cardiac arrest occurs. Courses include how to perform CPR and how to respond in other situations. Last year more than 4.8 million people enrolled in Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED courses.

    Visit redcross.org/take-a-class for online, in-person and blended learning course offerings. [Blended learning courses include online content and an in-person skills session.]

      Use my location

    Having a heart attack can increase your risk of experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, but there are distinct differences between heart attack and cardiac arrest, their causes, and symptoms.

    • Sudden cardiac arrest is often compared to an “electrical” problem where the heart suddenly stops beating and pumping blood to vital organs. A person with no pre-existing signs of heart disease can suddenly stop breathing (or is only gasping) and is unresponsive.
    • Heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is severely reduced or blocked. The blockage is usually due to a buildup of fat, cholesterol, or other substances in the heart (coronary) arteries.

    How do I know if someone is having a cardiac arrest?

    Signs of sudden cardiac arrest to look for include:

    • Unconscious
    • Not breathing or only gasping

    What is CPR?

    Full CPR consists of chest compressions and rescue breaths and is the best option to use for infants, children and drowning incidents. Hands-Only CPR is giving chest compressions without any mouth-to-mouth contact. The Red Cross offers a variety of training options from online only courses like Until Help Arrives to full CPR and AED certification classes taken in person as well as blended learning options with online and in person components.

    What is an AED?

    An AED (automated external defibrillator) is a device that analyzes the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, advises the rescuer to deliver an electrical shock, known as defibrillation, which can help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm. For each minute that defibrillation is delayed, a person’s chance for survival is reduced by about 10%. Different types of AEDs are available, but they operate similarly and have common features, such as electrode pads, voice prompts and visual displays to guide the user through the steps. An AED will never shock a person who doesn’t need it.

    How to Get Prepared During Sudden Cardiac Awareness Month

    Every second counts in a sudden cardiac arrest. Survival from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest greatly depends on nearby loved ones or bystanders promptly calling 911, initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and using an automated external defibrillator (AED). For every minute that immediate CPR and use of a defibrillator is delayed, odds of survival decrease by 10 percent.

    Knowing how to start CPR and how to use an AED greatly increases the chance of survival of an SCA. The survival rate of sudden cardiac arrest hovers around 10 percent for out-of-hospital incidences and 21 percent for in-hospital events, yet research shows that high-quality CPR has a significant impact on survival outcomes, whether inside or outside the hospital.

    • If an AED is not immediately available, administering CPR can be a bridge to life until an AED arrives. Learning CPR steps can help you protect loved ones in an emergency.

    What to do if you are faced with someone in sudden cardiac arrest

    Sometimes people refrain from helping someone who needs CPR because they are afraid that they’ll injure the person or do something wrong. Calling 911 and starting chest compressions is better than doing nothing at all. It can help give the person a better chance of survival.

    1. Call 911 or have someone nearby call 911 immediately. The emergency dispatcher can guide you on what you can do until advanced medical help arrives, including how to perform Hands-Only CPR.
    2. Check to see if the person is breathing or responsive.
    3. Send someone to get the AED.
    4. If the person is not breathing (or only gasping) and they are not responsive, start CPR immediately. If you don’t know CPR, administer hands-only CPR, pushing on hard and fast on the center of the chest.
    5. Use an AED if available. Portable AEDs are available in many public places.

    Get Red Cross Ready this National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month

    The American Red Cross Training Services provides CPR and AED training, available in-person, online or through hybrid courses.

    What to Read Next

    Cardiac Arrest
    Learn about cardiac arrest and how to help an adult experiencing cardiac arrest.
    Read More
    Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest
    Learn about the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest.
    Read More
    What is CPR?
    Understand what is CPR, types of CPR and why it is so important.
    Read More

    Take a Course and Refresh Your CPR Skills

      Use my location

    About Red Cross Training Services

    Training Services is a division of the American Red Cross with the mission to spread knowledge and educate as many members of the national community in lifesaving procedures. Our services include training courses for CPR and AED, First Aid, BLS (Basic Life Support), babysitting, Caregiving, Lifeguarding Water Safety, and more.