​​9 Reasons Why You Should Get Trained in CPR Now 


By Janet Wolfe
Posted June 3, 2026


     Whether you take long road trips, weekend getaways, or never leave home, learning how to perform CPR—cardiopulmonary resuscitation—is one of the most important things you can do for your family and friends.

     CPR is a time-sensitive, emergency, lifesaving procedure performed on someone whose heart has suddenly and unexpectedly stopped beating, whether from existing heart conditions, severe physical stress, extreme exertion, trauma, substance abuse, respiratory distress, or electrical shock. 

     Anyone (including children) can and should learn CPR from a trained professional.  Reading about the procedure isn’t good enough.  Calling 9-1-1 and waiting for an emergency responder isn’t good enough.  

     YOU can save your parent, grandparent, sibling, child, friend, or even a stranger with just one day of training.  Not yet convinced?  Here are 9 terrifying reasons why you should get certified in CPR:


1

80-90% of people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die.



2

However, people who receive high-quality CPR and an AED shock

immediately after cardiac arrest have a survival rate of 75% or better.


3

Approximately 37-40% of cardiac arrests occur in front of someone. 

You could be the someone who saves a life.


4

Approximately 70% of cardiac arrests occur at home.  Unless you’re

in the medical field, there’s a 75% chance that if you ever have to

perform CPR on someone, it will be on family or a friend.



5

It takes only 4-6 minutes for brain damage to begin. 

Biological death occurs in just 10 minutes. 



6

It takes emergency responders an average of 7-8 minutes to arrive

in urban areas and 14 minutes+ in rural areas.



7

For every 60 seconds that CPR is delayed, a person’s

survival rate decreases by 10%.



8

Globally, more people die from cardiac arrest than colorectal cancer,

breast cancer, prostate cancer, the flu, pneumonia, auto accidents,

HIV, firearms, and house fires combined.



9

Correct and immediate administration of CPR can double or even triple the survival rate of someone suffering from cardiac arrest.


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     You can make the difference.  You can give someone the time and the chance they need to survive.  You can save someone you love.  Visit Red Cross Training | Take a Class | Red Cross to sign up and get started today.



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