Over 1,500 trained at this year’s “Be a Heart Starter!” CPR training event | Community Spirit

The following is a Press Release:

As of today, over 14,500 Acadiana residents have learned bystander CPR at “Be a Heart Starter!” CPR training events since 2000. This year, the 12th annual event, 1,538 participants were taught how to perform life-saving CPR by professionals from local fire stations, emergency responders and medical professionals among the 263 volunteers who supported the effort.  
 
“This was our second largest turnout ever,” says Dr. Charles Wyatt,  “Be A Heart Starter!” founder and medical director since the training began. “Our second session Saturday had 853 participants, which was by far the largest single group we’ve trained at one time. The huge turnout this weekend shows that the people of Acadiana still think the training we offer is relevant and want to be a part of what we offer.”
 
“Acadiana is, without a doubt, a safer place to live because of the thousands of people who take the time to learn bystander CPR. We’ve seen the survival rate go from one percent in 2000 to 32 percent today.  That’s a remarkable accomplishment,” says Dr. Wyatt. “We’d like to thank the medical and non-medical volunteers who gave up their Saturday to help with the training. And we also want to thank those men, women and children who felt it important that they be trained and ready to perform bystander CPR.”
 
“This event is organized by the medical community and community-minded businesses of Acadiana. Without our sponsors and their many employees who volunteer their support, this event could not happen,” says Dr. Wyatt. “We also continue to receive strong support from newspapers, radio stations and television stations across the Acadiana area. With everyone’s support and commitment as we move forward, we hope to continue putting on this event for many years to come.”