In recognition of National CPR-AED Awareness Week, June 1-7, Parent Heart Watch and the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, along with multiple partners, are urging the public to learn hands-only CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator. Their campaign, Call-Push-Shock, is a growing national movement that aims to curb the public health crisis of sudden cardiac arrest, which kills nearly 1,000 people every day in the United States.
PITTSBURGH, PA--In recognition of National CPR-AED Awareness Week, June 1-7, Parent Heart Watch and the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, along with multiple partners, are urging the public to learn hands-only CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). Their campaign, Call-Push-Shock, is a growing national movement that aims to curb the public health crisis of sudden cardiac arrest, which kills nearly 1,000 people every day in the United States.
Sudden cardiac arrest affects more than 356,000 people outside hospitals each year—including over 7,000 youth under age 18—but death can be averted if people nearby act quickly. Today, only one in 10 victims survives, but with immediate CPR and use of an AED, survival rates can triple.
To address this public health crisis, Parent Heart Watch and the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation launched the Call-Push-Shock campaign last June. Since then, 24 organizations have joined the movement. Together, they are urging the public to prepare for sudden cardiac arrest, the third leading cause of death in the U.S.
Participating organizations include Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation, John Taylor Babbitt Foundation, Buddy CPR, Cardiac Science, Cardio Partners, Citizen CPR Foundation, Defibshop USA, Enerspect Medical Solutions, Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation, HeartBeat NOLA, HeartRescue Project, HeartStart Foundation, Illinois Heart Rescue, In A Heartbeat, Laerdal, Life Safety Solutions, National Safety Council, One Beat CPR + AED, Project ADAM, PulsePoint, SADS Foundation, SCAA/Anthony Bates Foundation, Starting Hearts Foundation, and ZOLL Medical Corporation.
“Through the Call-Push-Shock campaign, we aim to convey a simple message: Sudden cardiac arrest can be reversed with quick bystander action," said Mary M. Newman, MS, president of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation.
The campaign urges the public to remember three lifesaving steps:
- CALL: Call 911 and follow dispatcher instructions.
- PUSH: Press hard and fast on the center of the chest at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute (e.g., to the beat of "Baby Shark").
- SHOCK: Use the nearest AED as soon as possible. AEDs are lifesaving devices with audio and visual prompts that are designed for use by laypersons.
The Call-Push-Shock campaign leverages results of a national study conducted for the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation by global consumer research firm StrataVerve. Findings indicate most Americans are unfamiliar with sudden cardiac arrest and the critical importance of immediate bystander intervention. However, when presented with a clear explanation of SCA, both the perceived importance of learning CPR and AED skills—and the likelihood to give CPR or use an AED in an emergency—jump significantly.
“There is a critical need to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest, educate people about the importance of taking immediate action, and empower communities to provide CPR training and widespread access to AEDs,” said Martha Lopez-Anderson, executive director of Parent Heart Watch. “By working together, rather than in silos, we believe we can truly make a difference in the urgent quest to save more lives.”
The Call-Push-Shock campaign aligns with the 2015 recommendations of the Institute of Medicine, now known as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, to strengthen stakeholder collaboration and cultivate a culture of action through public awareness and training that features simple, unified messaging.
Everyone is urged to visit Call-Push-Shock to learn more and to help raise awareness during National CPR-AED Awareness Week by sharing information through their social media channels using the hashtag #CallPushShock. Organizations interested in joining the campaign are invited to reach out to contact [at] callpushshock.org.
About the Call-Push-Shock Campaign
The Call-Push-Shock campaign is an educational initiative co-sponsored by Parent Heart Watch and the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation. The goal of the campaign is to increase awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and the likelihood that bystanders will help victims by calling 911, giving CPR, and using AEDs. For information, reach out to contact [at] callpushshock.org.
About Parent Heart Watch
Parent Heart Watch (PHW) is the only national organization solely dedicated to protecting youth from sudden cardiac arrest and preventable sudden cardiac death. PHW leads and empowers others by educating and advocating for change. PHW is comprised of parents and who have been personally touched by sudden cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death and other passionate advocates who put their time and effort into preventing SCA/SCD in the young throughout their communities. For information, reach out to contact [at] parentheartwatch.org.
About the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation
The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is a national community benefit 501(c)(3) organization based in Pittsburgh, PA. Our mission is to serve as an information clearinghouse and social marketing force focused on raising awareness about the prevention and treatment of sudden cardiac arrest. We are working to stimulate attitudinal and behavioral changes that will help save more lives. Specifically, we seek “To raise awareness and support programs that give ‘ordinary people’ the power to save a life.” For information, reach out to info [at] sca-aware.org.