The New Canaan YMCA’s “Hands for Life” training—a free event presented in partnership with New Canaan EMS and CERT—will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 28 at the Y.
The 2013 “Hands for Life” at the New Canaan Y. Photo courtesy of the Y
Open to all and with no advance registration required, the life-saving skills of hands-only CPR and AED use takes just 20 minutes. It was last offered in 2013, where more than 900 people were trained.
We put some questions about the event to Margaret Riley, executive director at the New Canaan YMCA, and Amy Kennedy, chief of New Canaan EMS.
Here’s our exchange.
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New Canaanite: What is Hands for Life New Canaan?
The 2013 “Hands for Life” at the New Canaan Y. Photo courtesy of the Y
Margaret Riley: Hands for Life New Canaan 2024 is being held on Sunday, April 28, and is an opportunity for every member of our community to become confident in their ability to administer Hands-Only CPR and use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). The event will be held at the YMCA in partnership with New Canaan EMS and CERT. The event is free, open to all, no advance registration is required, and training takes only 20 minutes.
Amy Kennedy: “Hands for Life” is a Compression-Only CPR initiative first begun by Cardiologist Dr. Thomas Nero about 15 years ago in response to community hesitation to initiate care for a person suffering sudden cardiac arrest. Many people fear doing something wrong or causing harm, so do nothing. Extensive studies have shown that initiating care with compressions, done correctly, can make a difference in survival, provided the 9-1-1 system has been activated, and an AED is quickly gotten to the victim’s side and used. People suffering from cardiac arrest need effective compressions to circulate blood to vital organs and proper use of an AED to reset the heart’s rhythm. Time is critical, so it is important to act fast.
How has the event grown or evolved since the first one in 2013?
The 2013 “Hands for Life” at the New Canaan Y. Photo courtesy of the Y
Amy: This is the first time we are offering this community-wide event since 2013 where we trained over 900 people.
Margaret: Since 2013, communities and organizations have gained a greater appreciation for the importance of AEDs and they are increasingly present and available. Giving the public an understanding of the use of these devices is a necessary step toward making them effective. Participants in Hands for Life will gain an instant awareness of the presence and ease of use of these important devices.
What kind of feedback do you get from participants or local emergency services providers?
The 2013 “Hands for Life” at the New Canaan Y. Photo courtesy of the Y
Amy: The program was well received in 2013, offering people the opportunity to feel more confident helping friends, loved ones, and strangers. One participant reached out to us just weeks after our 2013 event to tell us she had used her training. She had been in NYC when a man collapsed on the sidewalk. She acted quickly, determining the man had no pulse, calling 9-1-1 on her cell phone and asking someone to get an AED from a nearby office building. She initiated compressions and an FDNY ambulance arrived quickly on scene and assumed care. The medics commended the woman for her efforts. She noted she felt empowered rather than helpless.
Margaret: Participants in Hands for Life express a sense of confidence and empowerment. They leave knowing that if they are exposed to a cardiac arrest, they can provide the type of assistance that can make a difference between life and death. Local emergency service providers have expressed the vital importance of bystander care in cardiac emergencies, when every minute counts. Cardiac arrest occurs without warning and sufferers can be from any age demographic. It truly is a condition for which bystanders, with the use of CPR and AEDs can make a difference.
Talk about this year’s Hands for Life partners.
The 2013 “Hands for Life” at the New Canaan Y. Photo courtesy of the Y
Margaret: The New Canaan YMCA, New Canaan EMS, and CERT are dedicated to supporting and protecting the well-being of our New Canaan community. We are all very proud to be making this event possible again for our community. Additionally, we’d like to thank our generous sponsors whose support is making this event possible for our community. A big thank you to Walter Stewart’s Market, Bankwell, Karl Chevrolet, Wendy Fog Real Estate at Houlihan Lawrence, and the New Canaanite!
Amy: NCEMS provides compression-only training throughout the year through our “Hands on New Canaan” initiative. We are proud to team up with the YMCA and New Canaan CERT to offer this larger awareness and training event once again to the community in the hopes that more people will feel confident in offering care when someone is in need. We’d also like to thank Waveny Life Care for their partnership with providing volunteers for the event.
Give us details of what happens on April 28. What can people expect to see and experience?
Amy: On Sunday, April 28, community members are encouraged to stop by the YMCA any time between 10am and 4pm. Participants will first learn how to identify cardiac arrest and the steps to take to provide care. They will then practice effective compressions on CPR manikins with an instructor, before moving to AED stations to learn how simple these life-saving machines are to use. Training will take about 20 minutes and could save the life of someone dear to the participant. While it is recommended that participants be 12 years or older, younger persons are welcome and will learn about the benefit of calling the 9-1-1 system to get help, as well as how to do compressions.
Margaret: Training will be informative, thorough, and efficient and occur continuously throughout the event. When community members complete the brief training, participants will be confident that if they are ever called upon to do so, they can provide meaningful assistance to people in need.
What else, if anything, would you like to say about Hands for Life New Canaan?
Amy: Learning compression-only CPR is simple and can truly be the difference between life and death. We encourage everyone to join this effort.
Margaret: We are extremely proud to provide this valuable service and hope that all community members will take advantage of this opportunity and take 20 minutes to become educated on response to cardiac arrest. Encourage your friends to stop by as well; each person trained increases the likelihood of survival for those in need of assistance and creates a safer community!