Proclaiming June 18th 2008 as "Philadelphia CPR Training Day."

WHEREAS

, Each year an estimated 166,000 lives are claimed by Sudden Cardiac Arrest; and

WHEREAS

,

The Heart Association estimates that more than 95 percent of cardiac-arrest victims die before they get to the hospital; and

WHEREAS

,

According to the Heart Association, about 75 percent to 80 percent of all cardiac arrests outside a hospital occur at home, and effective CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) can double or Triple a victim's survival odds; and

WHEREAS

,

When a bystander performs CPR, quick action is the key. The faster a bystander starts giving CPR the more likely the victim is to survive; and

WHEREAS

, Studies showed that the chance of survival for people who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest fell by 10 percent for every minute following the attack that CPR was not administered. After about four minutes, permanent brain damage begins to occur; and

WHEREAS

, In fact, more people die from sudden cardiac arrest than from breast cancer, prostate cancer, AIDS, house fires, handguns and traffic accidents combined; and

WHEREAS

, Since 1971, the City has trained 650,000 ordinary citizens – from taxi drivers to restaurant employees; and

WHEREAS

, According to a report by

USA Today

, Philadelphia has a 10% bystander rate and only 4% of its population has been trained in CPR; and

WHEREAS

, The American Heart Association trains 10 million people in CPR annually, but we must do more. For victims of a sudden cardiac arrest, a bystander who performs immediate CPR and defibrillation with an AED could make a life or death difference; now therefore

Be It Resolved, By The City Council Of Philadelphia,

That June 18th 2008 forevermore be declared “Philadelphia’s CPR Training Day” and that we honor the American Heart Association and the University of Pennsylvania, for their tireless efforts in training the life saving techniques necessary in CPR.

FURTHER RESOLVED,

That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to American Heart Association and the University of Pennsylvania as further evidencing the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body.

End