Representatives from Rural/Metro and the University of Rochester are asking residents to stop by Rochester City Hall this afternoon to learn CPR and other first aid skills. More than a dozen stations are set up in the atrium where people can learn hands-only CPR on a mannequin.
Rural/Metro spokesperson LaShay Harris says someone who experiences cardiac arrest in our city has only a 10 percent chance of receiving CPR from a bystander.
"Nowadays, you don't have to put your mouth on someone's mouth. Hands-only or compression CPR is what we're teaching. And that skill can save a life."
Representatives from the University of Rochester trauma program are also on hand at the event, training residents how to stop bleeding.
"Which I think is a huge help,” Harris said, “because in this city we have had multiple mass shootings and those folks suffer from trauma related injuries. If you have this training, you could save someone's life should this occur again."
Frank Manzo, the injury prevention and outreach coordinator at the UR trauma program, says a person can die within three minutes from an arterial bleed.
"People tend to bleed out, and unfortunately, pass away prior to any first responders getting there, no matter how fast they get there. That's why it's so imperative that lay people understand how to administer care to these people and potentially save their lives."
Manzo said the ultimate goal is to make “Stop the Bleed” kits available throughout the community wherever an AED device is located, such as grocery stores, libraries, schools, workplaces and government buildings. They contain gauze and other materials to make a tourniquet, as well as gloves and protective garments.
Today's event is in recognition of Emergency Medical Technicians week. It's continues at City Hall until 5p.m.
