Fall’s American Heart Walk will raise awareness of survival chain
If a coworker, friend or family member collapsed in front of you, unresponsive and not breathing, would you know what to do? Would you know to call 911 immediately? Could you perform CPR? Is there an automated external defibrillator (AED) immediately available?
As chairman of the American Heart Association’s 2000 Mon-mouth County American Heart Walk, I urge residents, business and civic leaders to join us on Oct. 14, and "Step Out, Save Lives! – Strengthen the Chain of Survival."
The theme of the walk, "Step Out, Save Lives! – Strengthen the Chain of Survival," underscores the importance of a four-step process called the chain of survival.
A strong chain of survival can mean the difference between life and death for a victim of sudden cardiac arrest, heart attack or stroke in Monmouth County.
I’m joining with the American Heart Association to urge everyone to strengthen their personal chain of survival and join us at Thompson Park in Lincroft on Oct. 14.
According to the American Heart Association, more than 70 percent of cardiac emergencies occur at home. Incidents of sudden cardiac arrest, which can strike anyone, are more likely to occur at places where large numbers of people gather, such as shopping malls, corporate and industrial centers, stadiums and arenas, golf courses and bus, train and airline terminals.
At least 250,000 people experience sudden cardiac arrest each year, but barely 5 percent survive because AEDs are either not available or arrive on the scene too late. After as little as 10 minutes, few people survive sudden cardiac arrest.
You can strengthen your personal chain of survival and be the first two "links" in the chain by knowing the warning signs and calling 911 immediately, and by performing early CPR. Also, be an advocate for AEDs in large public gathering places and in your local police, fire rescue and emergency response vehicles — normally the first on the scene of an emergency. Then join us on Oct. 14.
Charlie Parton
2000 co-chairman
Monmouth County
American Heart Walk
American Heart Association

