Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month: Would You Know What to Do?

You’re at the grocery store when the person in front of you suddenly collapses. No warning. No time to think. Their heart has stopped beating.

This isn’t a rare scenario; it’s sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), and it can happen to anyone, anytime. Unlike a heart attack, which is caused by a blocked artery, sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes it to stop pumping blood. Without immediate action, it is almost always fatal.

October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to ask yourself: Would you know what to do if it happened right in front of you?

Why Sudden Cardiac Arrest Is So Dangerous

• Out-of-hospital SCA is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.

• Survival depends on how quickly CPR and defibrillation are started.

• For every minute without CPR, a victim’s chance of survival drops by 7–10%.

The good news? With immediate response, survival rates can double or even triple. That’s why awareness—and action—are critical.

The Life-Saving Steps You Need to Know

If someone collapses suddenly and isn’t breathing:

• Call for help. Dial emergency services immediately.

• Start CPR. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest at 100–120 compressions per minute.

• Use an AED if available. Many public spaces now have automated external defibrillators with voice instructions anyone can follow.

These three steps can keep a person alive until paramedics arrive.

How CPR/BLS Training Prepares You

In an emergency, hesitation can cost precious seconds. With training, you won’t just know what to do—you’ll have the confidence to do it.

At Fireproof, our CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) classes teach you how to:

• Recognize sudden cardiac arrest immediately.

• Deliver high-quality chest compressions.

• Use an AED effectively.

• Work as a team during a life-or-death emergency.

These are not just medical skills, they’re life skills that anyone can learn.

Take Action This October

Sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone—young, old, healthy, or not. The difference between tragedy and survival often comes down to one thing: bystanders who are prepared to act.

This Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, commit to learning CPR and BLS. Don’t just be a witness—be the reason someone survives.

Join Fireproof’s CPR/BLS classes today and be the heartbeat someone needs.