By Carissa Caramanis O’Brien
SAN DIEGO — Streets were closed and traffic came to a halt, as cardiac arrest survivors and their families led a crowd of advocates through the streets of San Diego during the Emergency Cardiovascular Care Update (ECCU 2015) conference, hosted by the Citizen CPR Foundation.
The march was a powerful event, as so many people flooded the streets with signs and banners to support the cause. Marchers chanted, “CPR…Saves Lives!” with the goal of raising awareness for CPR and AED use, and the impact it can have in saving lives.
This, the first ever CPR Saves Lives March, was designed by ECCU’s program committee to bring attention to the hundreds of thousands of people who could survive with more CPR, more AEDs and better care.
The march, led by sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) survivor Robert Hoadley, proceeded on a one-mile course that ended at the Civic Center. There, the crowd and community gathered to hear inspirational stories from survivors, who recounted their rescues and the lives they have led since. City officials and the Citizen CPR Foundation raised a public call for more CPR training, more AED placements and more education so others can live.
As part of the event, high school students learned hands-only CPR with an introduction to AEDs. Several organizations also set up tables outside the Civic Center to provide information and resources to attendees.
Memorable Tweets during the CPR Saves Lives March
Social media helped to extend the CPR Saves Lives March message far broader than San Diego. Catch up on the march and ECCU by searching Twitter #ECCU2015.
Here are a few of the top tweets from the march.
Energy is high on the #CPR Saves Lives March. We know what we want. To save more of our community! #ECCU2015 #AEDs pic.twitter.com/cebnrzfPNr
— CitizenCPRFoundation (@citizencprf) December 10, 2015
Traffic stopped along 1st Ave in downtown for the @citizencprf march #ECCU2015 pic.twitter.com/CCZt6zTj5J
— City of San Diego (@CityofSanDiego) December 10, 2015
It was fantastic seeing the crowds taking part in the CPR Saves Lives March yesterday. #ECCU2015 pic.twitter.com/BXeFUTnve7
— Physio-Control (@PhysioControl) December 11, 2015
@citizencpr trains students to perform #CPR during the CPR Saves Lives rally yesterday in #SanDiego. #ECCU2015 pic.twitter.com/kWxitOfj6p
— ZOLL AEDs (@ZOLLaeds) December 11, 2015
So appreciative of @RonRobertsSD and @CityofSanDiego‘s support of the #CPR Saves Lives March. Thank you! #ECCU2015 pic.twitter.com/rUTQQyAHtk
— CitizenCPRFoundation (@citizencprf) December 10, 2015
Key takeaways from the first-ever CPR Saves Lives March
Marchers and speakers stressed these important points, which should be part of all citizen and bystander education about CPR.
1. Immediate initiation of the Chain of Survival is critical: Early call to 911, early CPR, early access to defibrillation, and quality post-resuscitation care.
2. We must get broader bystander participation in order to increase SCA survival rates.
3. Anyone willing and able to get training in CPR and AED use has the power to save lives.
So, would you consider creating a CPR Saves Lives March in your community? How about adding a CPR Saves Lives float to a planned parade, or a booth or table at a community fair or event?
You and your colleagues can replicate the great work done at ECCU to get the word out faster and broader in communities across the country. What part will you play?
More tweets from CPR Saves Lives March
The CPR Saves Lives March showed @CityofSanDiego is doing great things to locate #AEDs & would-be rescuers armed w/#CPR skills. #ECCU2015
— Carissa O’Brien (@CarissaO) December 15, 2015
Team CRS at the #ECCU2015 #CPR saves lives march. #LearnCPR pic.twitter.com/NiYcosUrYx
— Center for Resus Sci (@Penn_CRS) December 11, 2015
Amazing crowd for #ECCU2015 SCA March! pic.twitter.com/MKfS4iGRFQ
— Sharon Bates (@SharonBates) December 10, 2015
Survivors know the power of #CPR and #AEDs. But we want the rest of you to know. You too can save a life! #ECCU2015 pic.twitter.com/rLAg9PNnyP
— CitizenCPRFoundation (@citizencprf) December 10, 2015
This is why we march. Because they survived...and more should. #ECCU2015 #CPR #AEDs pic.twitter.com/63ZEt26GBC
— CitizenCPRFoundation (@citizencprf) December 10, 2015
CPR and AEDs can increase survival rates by 13% over the national average. #ECCU2015 #CPRSAVESLIVES pic.twitter.com/ud4lvy4rSX
— Cardiac Science (@CardiacScience) December 10, 2015
About the author
Caramanis O’Brien is an EMT, problem solver and digital consultant to EMS. She advises many healthcare and EMS clients on the ideal use of digital marketing and social media to achieve their communications and community relations objectives. Find her on Twitter at @CarissaO.