Gardner White, Henry Ford Health, American Heart Association host hands-only CPR and AED training

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Gardner White, Henry Ford Health and the American Heart Association teamed up Feb. 22 to mark American Heart Month by offering hands-only CPR and automated external defibrillator training sessions to the public for free at the Gardner White store on Hall Road in Shelby Township.

Two Henry Ford Health CPR-certified trainers were on-site to teach attendees how to properly administer hands-only CPR techniques and demonstrate the use of AEDs that could one day help the attendees to save a life. Attendees older than 12 years of age were allowed to participate.

Every year, the American Heart Association estimates, more than 350,000 people experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting, including 23,000 children. Immediate, effective CPR can double or even triple someone’s odds of surviving, and it is a skill that a child as young as 9 years old can learn, according to the association.

Rachel Stewart, president of Gardner White, said the organizers were thrilled by the interest from the community to learn these lifesaving skills.

“As a proud 112-year-old Detroit-based, family-owned company, we are deeply dedicated to providing a wide variety of free events and opportunities for our communities,” she said.

In terms of turnout, nearly 200 registered to take part in the training.

Sal Giacona, from Henry Ford Health, said he was there for the entire event and can say that it was “a huge success.”

“We had dozens of registered and walk-in participants learn hands-only CPR from our Henry Ford Health nurses and the Southfield chapter of the American Heart Association’s (vice president) of community impact, Mallory Applewhite. Henry Ford Health is proud to have partnered with Gardner White and the American Heart Association to provide our communities this opportunity to learn lifesaving skills,” he said.

He said that since three out of four cardiac arrests happen in the home, the skills that participants gained might help them save a loved one.

“It was well attended and received. Most people I spoke with were very grateful for the opportunity to learn hands-only CPR and for the HFH/GW/AHA partnership that made it possible. We hope this event helps raise awareness about the importance of knowing how to perform hands-only CPR, and that it becomes a springboard for more educational opportunities in the future,” he said.

For more information, visit gardnerwhite.com or heart.org.