The VA Caregiver Support Program (CSP) is on a mission to empower caregivers, equipping them with essential lifesaving skills in the form of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
In collaboration with the American Red Cross, CSP launched a Hands-Only CPR training video for caregivers, available on CSP’s national website.
“The Caregiver Support Program remains steadfast in preparing Veterans’ caregivers with CPR skills to act swiftly and effectively in the critical moments following a cardiac arrest,” said Colleen M. Richardson, executive director of CSP. “According to the American Heart Association, being trained to perform CPR can mean the difference between life and death, increasing the survival rate from around 10% to 40% or higher.”
To develop a network of caregivers who can respond effectively when every second counts, CSP is also collaborating with the Simulation Learning, Evaluation, Assessment and Research Network to train CSP staff in the American Heart Association’s Friends and Family CPR model. The pilot phase for this initiative is currently underway at four sites, with the overarching goal of nationwide implementation.
Why CPR training is important
The significance of CPR training cannot be overstated. The 2023 heart disease and stroke statistics show that among the over 356,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests that occurred, about 75% to 80% happened at home. When someone goes into cardiac arrest, every second counts. Caregivers trained in CPR can respond quickly and competently, increasing the chance of survival.
Learning CPR empowers us to take immediate action when a loved one’s life hangs in the balance. Proper training allows caregivers to administer those first critical breaths and chest compressions that can make all the difference.
Whether you prefer mastering life-saving CPR techniques through our comprehensive training video or find in-person sessions more effective, we have you covered. Contact your local CSP team to inquire about dates and times for our in-person CPR training sessions. Your journey to acquiring crucial life-saving skills starts here.
About CSP
CSP promotes the health and well-being of Veterans’ caregivers through education, resources, support and services. Every VA facility has a CSP team that provides valuable information about resources to help caregivers stay informed and supported as they support Veterans. More information can be found on CSP’s website and by contacting local CSP teams. To learn more, watch CSP’s SITREP podcast.
Topics in this story
Link Disclaimer
This page includes links to other websites outside our control and jurisdiction. VA is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of non-VA Web sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policy or terms and conditions of those sites to fully understand what information is collected and how it is used.
More Stories
For the Great American Smokeout, explore VA resources and learn why every attempt to stop smoking is a step toward success.
If you’ve lost a loved one to suicide, resources and support are available to help you cope during your grieving and healing.
Army Veteran Denis Velez donated a painting of his VA hospital as a way of giving back for his treatment there.
Just a couple of things. VA doctors at the Portland VA hospital are seeing so many patients that they rarely listen to the concerns of their patients. Recruit more doctors?
Also, I’ve been getting prescriptions for several years and I get reams of paper detailing these medications every single time which I throw in the trash every single time. A thought occurs to me that an online resource would save the government a few dollars here that could be used to address the many people living on the street.
Protect propriety and intelletual propriety