There’s a big push to train everyday Angelenos on how to perform CPR.
KNX News’ Emily Valdez reported that nine out of 10 people who have a cardiac arrest die. Cash Hennessy is a teenager who beat the odds. He was playing football at 13 years old when a congenital heart defect caused his heart to stop beating.
“I couldn't breathe and I suffered a cardiac arrest. But my friend's parents came down from the stands and they were trained in CPR and they saved my life," Hennessy said.
He had to have open heart surgery. Now, Hennessy is encouraging others to learn CPR.
“It could save so many lives and help out so many people,” he said. “No matter who you are, it could happen.”
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In an attempt to prevent the worst outcome, L.A. County trained half a million residents to do CPR over the course of nine months in 2023. Now, the county wants to offer free training to residents again.
Free in-person emergency training classes can be found on the L.A. County Department of Public Health’s website.
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