Teens Need to Learn CPR

MIAMISBURG, OH (WDTN) - One in ten people who suffer cardiac arrest die if they don't get immediate emergency help. To increase survival rates, the American Heart Association wants a million teens to learn lifesaving CPR. Here's what you need to know to help save a life.

17-year old Jenna Parlette knows the importance of CPR. The Miamisburg High school student would have died had it not been for a stranger coming to her aid. "In the summer of 2008 I was running in a across country race and I collapsed. A nurse performed CPR and I'm so thankful she did, she saved my life." said Parlette. Testing showed Jenna suffers from a heart condition. "Basically the left side of my heart didn't want to work. It's a little off beat. So they put a pacemaker and defibrillator in, I call it Fibby and I haven't had any troubles."

With so many kids involved in athletics, a teenager may be the first person able to help someone in an emergency. Jenna is helping bring awareness to adults and teens alike about the importance of learning CPR, which takes just a few hours. You can find helpful links on classes and more information in the web links section of this page.