It’s time to repeat this life-saving message. If you are organizing an event this year, consider inviting the good folks from Fairview to teach your guests CPR Lite!

“CPR doesn’t have to be perfect to be lifesaving!”

That’s the message that the good folks at Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington, MA. want us all to understand. Studies are showing that bystanders often don’t take any action to help someone who has stopped breathing because they haven’t had CPR training, and they are afraid they will screw up. And that is where Bystander CPR comes in. It is not the full CPR program- call it CPR Lite- but learning it can keep someone alive until the ambulance arrives.

Fairview’s CPR Plus Program will send Bystander CPR Coaches to gatherings to teach the truncated version to large groups of people. And it is free. It only takes three to five minutes to learn. The program brochure reads :

“Begin chest compressions at 100 times per minute over the center of the breastbone. If you compress to the Bee Gee’s 1977 hit song ‘Staying  Alive’ you’ll be doing it right.”

” While Bystander CPR is not as comprehensive as the full -fledged CPR program, it is a way to get people to take some action, which can have an impact on the outcome.” according to Fairview spokesperson Lauren Smith. ” We have also found that doing these mini-programs in a fairly informal way makes more people willing to approach it.  Overall, raising the level of awareness will also lead to more people learning CPR, extending the rural emergency network.”

Fairview is looking for groups of people to pass along this life-saving technique . Got a 5k or golf tournament coming up? Or a cocktail party? If your event is within the Tri-State area call them to arrange a visit from their Bystander CPR Coaches. Call Lauren (413) 854-9611.