COVINGTON, Ga. - Piedmont Newton Hospital’s EMS team will host a free hands-only CPR course for the community on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Walmart located in Covington.

“As emergency responders, we see firsthand what the benefits of CPR can do, especially for a person in cardiac arrest,” Pat Miller, Piedmont Newton EMS paramedic, said. “We wanted to offer this training to our community because it’s important to know this life-saving skill.” 

Around 90 percent of people who experience cardiac arrest at home, work or in a public place die because they don’t receive immediate CPR, according to the American Heart Association. In fact, CPR, especially if performed in the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.

Hands-only CPR is CPR without the rescue breaths. It consists of two easy steps: calling 911 and pushing hard and fast in the center of a person’s chest at 100 beats per minute. Oftentimes, instructors will recommend pushing to an upbeat song to help count the beats.

“Around 70 percent of cardiac arrests that occur outside of a hospital happen in a person’s home. Unfortunately, less than 50 percent of these people get the immediate help that they need before a professional arrives,” Miller said. “We want to change that. It’s truly an easy skill to learn and it can save a life.” 

The Piedmont Newton EMS hands-only CPR course, which is taught in a matter of five minutes, will take place on Saturday, February 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of the Walmart located at 11300 Industrial Blvd. in Covington, Ga.  This event is free and open to anyone in the community that’s interested in learning this life-saving skill.   

For more information about Piedmont Newton emergency services, visit piedmont.org.