Even people who are "over the hill" should learn CPR-as a story from the Washington state town of Battle Ground attests.
"Over the Hill" happens to be the name of a basketball league that plays there; members have to be at least 35. George Tierney is 69. And he is, not was, in part because when his heart stopped and he collapsed, other members of the league were prepared to act.
As reported by The Columbian, they did CPR. Someone activated an automated external defibrillator. Someone called 911. A group went to the building door to flag down responders and let them in, saving time.
"We're thinking, there's a lot of good things happening here," said one of the paramedics.
Those good things happened because people knew CPR-and because when the time came for action, they acted.
Calling 911 is essential. Having the experts, both in the ambulance and in the hospital, is vital: Tierney got a quadruple bypass. And helping responders get where they need to be, for example by opening the door, is useful.
But relying on the specialists to provide care isn't enough. In cardiac arrest, every second that goes by is a second the victim gets closer to the grave. The person who can start treatment fastest is the person who is already there. And any of us might be that person.
There's no substitute for being prepared. Basic CPR courses are widely available; the American Red Cross is one place to start.