How You Can Save a Life with Bystander CPR
2/13/2026
More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur each year in the United States according to the American Heart Association but currently, bystanders only perform CPR 46% of the time.
In a life or death situation, would you know what to do to save the life of your loved one, friend or neighbor? Would you be capable of providing life saving care for a stranger having a heart attack at the grocery store?
“Bystander CPR during cardiac arrest can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival before paramedics arrive,” Jolene Balboa, R.N., director of cardiovascular services at DeTar Healthcare System, said.
In a nationwide online survey conducted by the American Heart Association, bystanders commented on why they did not perform CPR on someone in cardiac arrest despite having the opportunity to do so:
- 31% were afraid of legal ramifications
- 28% were afraid they might hurt the person
- 24% said CPR was too complicated
- 18% did not feel confident in performing the steps
- 16% said they were not trained to perform CPR
- 14% did not want to give rescue breaths
According to the American Heart Association, about 70% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes. That means in the event of a cardiac event, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you know: a child, a spouse, a parent or a friend.
With two easy steps, you can be the difference for someone you love. The first thing you need to do is call 911 if you see someone suddenly collapse. The second thing you need to do is push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of a familiar song such as “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees or “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira. These songs are 100 to 120 beats per minute which helps those performing CPR find the appropriate rate for chest compressions.
“Hands-only CPR is just as effective as conventional CPR for cardiac arrests at home, at work or in public,” Karen Evans, R.N., stroke and chest pain coordinator at DeTar, said. “When a person has cardiac arrest, their survival depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby.”
DeTar Healthcare System is proud to offer three different types of CPR classes. Our Heart and Stroke Awareness Education sessions are led by Balboa and Evans. These free interactive, educational sessions are designed for businesses, civic groups, churches, and organizations who want to be prepared to respond in a medical emergency and open to anyone age 10 and older.
Participants receive hands-on, practical education including:
- Hands-Only CPR
- How to recognize the signs & symptoms of a stroke and heart attack
- Heart disease awareness and prevention education
- How and when to use an AED (automated external defibrillator)
- Other life-saving response techniques that anyone can learn
Please note that this training is not for CPR certification but is designed to empower individuals to act quickly in a crisis. To schedule a heart and stroke education awareness education session for your workplace or organization, call 361-575-7441 ext. 4822 or email us here or here.
DeTar’s paid certification courses include our Heartsaver and First Aid Course which is designed to teach and CPR certify daycare workers, plant workers, teachers and aides and our Healthcare Provider BLS course is geared towards nursing home staff, school nurses and any medical/clinical staff such as EMS, RTs and PTs who want to be CPR certified.
“CPR certification validates the training skills you have learned during the course,” Lori Cantu, BSN, R.N., director of education at DeTar, said. “It recognizes your skills, understanding and competence to perform CPR during a medical emergency.”
To learn more about cost and to schedule a course, please call 361-788-6136 or 361-788-6306 or 361-788-6142.
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