Heart and Stroke Foundation’s new CPR campaign challenges Canadians to put their hands to good use

Heart and Stroke Foundation’s new CPR campaign challenges Canadians to put their hands to good use: just 22 minutes can last a lifetime

November 24, 2009

Ottawa– A new public service campaign from the Heart and Stroke Foundation challenges Canadians to learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) during November – CPR month – to see that they have what it takes to save a life.

“CPR can be a vital link in saving a life and almost anyone can learn it,” says Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada CEO Sally Brown. “We’re urging Canadians to put their hands to the test and learn CPR. It’s easier than you think, doesn’t take long to learn, and could help save the life of someone close to you.”

The Foundation’s national TV and radio campaign aims to raise awareness of the need for increasing bystander CPR. “Canada’s rate of bystander CPR is abysmal. There’s simply no good reason not to learn how to do CPR” says Dr. Laurie Morrison, spokesperson for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. “I hope that everyone gets the message: it takes very little of your time to save a life.”

The creative campaign features a man collapsing and his distressed wife crying out for help, as she pleads, “Does anyone know CPR? “ Listeners are then asked how much time it took to learn how to use that new fancy cell phone and to straighten up their golf swing – finally reminding them that it takes as little as 22 minutes to learn the core skills of CPR.

The PSA for TV and radio runs coast to coast.

“Our PSA packs a punch but the fact is that, although cardiac arrest is frightening, it doesn’t have to be a death sentence. The Heart and Stroke Foundation urges all Canadians to learn CPR,” says Brown. “If we have time to devote to this skill, we ultimately have the tools to save a life.”

Boosting bystander CPR rates across the country is a priority for the Foundation. And making noise on radio and TV extends beyond November. As Canada and the world count down to the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games in February, the Heart and Stroke Foundation will support the cardiac safety of the games by providing 10,000 Family & Friends™ CPR Anytime™ personal learning kits to train 10,000 volunteers in the life-saving skills of CPR.

CPR Anytime™ Family&Friends™ enables Canadians to learn the core lifesaving skills of CPR in 22 minutes in the comfort of their own homes or in the workplace. It can be ordered online at www.heartandstroke.ca/cpranytime

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, up to 85 per cent of all cardiac arrests occur in homes and public places. About 40,000 people experience cardiac arrest in Canada each year. The odds of survival for an out-of hospital cardiac arrest are approximately five per cent. This is often because CPR is not started soon enough by bystanders or not performed at all.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada sets the Canadian guidelines for CPR, defibrillation, and other aspects of emergency cardiovascular care in Canada.