County of Marin - Press Releases - Hands-Only CPR

For Immediate Release
June 06, 2014

‘Don’t Miss a Beat’: Learn Hands-Only CPR on June 14

Goal is to train 2,500 people at countywide event

San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Emergency Services Agency is “pumped” to announce the fifth annual “Don’t Miss a Beat-Sidewalk CPR” event on Saturday, June 14, at venues throughout Marin County.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the public can learn how to perform hands-only CPR and assist a person who has experienced a sudden cardiac arrest.  In just five minutes, anyone age 8 or older can learn a skill they hope to never use: cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR.

Every year in Marin, more than 200 people suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital. Battalion Chief Mike Giannini, the fire emergency medical officer for the Marin County Fire Department, said a cardiac arrest patient is three times more likely to survive if a bystander starts hands-only CPR in the minutes before medical professionals arrive. “It is a simple and effective way to save a life,” he said.

The non-certified trainings will take place in 22 locations around Marin. Local doctors, nurses, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and firefighters will teach hands-only CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) that help keep hearts beating.

Last year 2,169 people were trained in just four hours, and this year the goal is to train more than 2,500 people. Participants are eligible for raffle prizes from community partners who support the cause including the San Francisco Giants, SoulCycle Marin, Blazing Saddles and Tyler Florence.

More information can be found at www.MarinEMS.org and www.handsonlycpr.org.

Learn to save a life at the following locations:

Vista Point – Golden Gate Bridge

Tiburon Ferry Plaza

Strawberry Village Shopping Center

Mill Valley Depot Plaza

Throckmorton Fire Station

The Village (Corte Madera)

Corte Madera Town Center

Bon Air Shopping Center (Greenbrae)

Marin Country Mart (Larkspur Landing)

Mi Pueblo Foods (San Rafael)

Northgate Mall (San Rafael)

The Fairfax Festival

Toby’s Feed Barn (Pt. Reyes Station)

Woodacre Market

Vintage Oaks Shopping Center (Novato)

Tomales Bakery

Marin French Cheese Factory (Hicks Valley)

Novato Festival of Art, Wine and Music

Golden Gate Ferry to S.F. Giants game

Woodland’s Market (Tiburon)

Sausalito Ferry Terminal

Bayside Café (Sausalito)

Contact:

Mike Giannini
Battalion Chief
Marin County Fire Department

33 Castle Rock Ave.
Woodacre, CA 94973
(415) 473-2595
Email: Mike Giannini
Marin County Fire website