February 2011

HOUMA - If a friend or family member falls victim to cardiac arrest, would you know what to do?

On Saturday, April 9, local businesses and organizations are sponsoring "Keep the Beat," a non-profit bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training course that is free to the public. The event will begin at 9 a.m. at the Houma Municipal Auditorium.

Certified CPR instructors will teach the course, which will be about 1 ½ hours long. Manikins will be provided for hands-on experience, and an educational presentation will be given on the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). An AED is a portable, electronic, life-saving unit that provides the user with step-by-step verbal instructions on administering shocks to a victim in cardiac arrest. The use of CPR and an AED greatly increases a victim's chance for survival because these steps can be taken prior to the arrival of a professional medical team.

As in past years, the "Keep the Beat" committee will donate an AED to the high school with the highest percentage of participation at the event in relation to the school's enrollment size. To register for this free bystander CPR class, please call 1-877-288-0011 or visit www.keepthebeat.net.

The "Keep the Beat" effort targets the Bayou Region to educate residents from Assumption, Lafourche, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes in basic lifesaving techniques. Although South Louisiana has one of the highest incidences of heart and vascular disease, many in the area do not know how to perform CPR.

"Keep the Beat" began in 2003 and has since educated more than 1,000 people in bystander CPR.

This event will be in conjunction with the American Heart Association's 36th annual Over and Under Tunnel Run at the Houma Municipal Auditorium on the same day. Race-day registration will begin at noon, with the kids fun run beginning at 1 p.m. and the 5K walk/run beginning at 2 p.m. Those who participate in both events will be entered into a drawing for a "Day in New Orleans" and will also receive a special gift bag from the American Heart Association. To pre-register for the race, please call 504-830-2320 to request a form.

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