Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding division partnered with the American Heart Association to teach shipbuilders how to perform hands-only CPR during a demonstration Thursday. The American Heart Association provided the shipyard a mobile CPR unit for on-site instruction and take-home kits to promote hands-on practice with family and friends.
With more than 300 employees in attendance, representatives from the HealthWaves wellness program were onsite to greet shipbuilders and discuss the importance of the CPR training led by American Heart Association representatives.
"It's important for shipbuilders and their families to learn CPR because with this knowledge they can help save lives," said HealthWaves Program Director Becky Johnson. "Eighty percent of cardiac arrests actually happen in a residential space, so it's important for family members to know hands-only CPR. I appreciate the American Heart Association taking the time to come out and work with so many of our employees to help teach hands-only CPR so that they may go home and train their loved ones.
We care about the health of our shipbuilders and our community, and this CPR training is just one of the many ways we strive to promote wellness in the shipyard."
During a six-hour period Thursday, employees could participate in a 30-minute hands-only training session with the CPR unit and take home a personal kit. The free session allowed upwards of 100 people to learn about CPR every 30 minutes.
According to the American Heart Association, about 89 percent of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest victims do not survive, but bystander CPR that is performed immediately can double or even triple a victim’s chance of survival.”
The American Heart Association’s Hands-Only CPR Tour is sponsored by the Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Foundation.
