OCALA, FL (352today.com) – February is American Heart Month, and HCA Florida Healthcare is asking more North Central Floridians to become lifesavers by learning CPR. The American Heart Association notes hands-only CPR, which stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, can double or even triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.  

Bronson resident Darryl McGinnes’s story is a great example of the critical importance of knowing CPR. Darryl collapsed and went into cardiac arrest as he approached the finish line of a 5K race in Ocala. For several minutes, as Darryl was unconscious, roughly a dozen bystanders took turns administering CPR, which kept him alive until he arrived at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, where he underwent an emergency quadruple bypass. 

“Stories like this remind us that everyday people can be heroes when they act quickly,” said Dr. Bryan Bush, a cardiothoracic surgeon at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. “Learning Hands-Only CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator, or AED, gives community members the confidence to help in an emergency and, most importantly, a real chance to save a life.” 

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for nearly one in every four deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control. In a cardiac emergency, bystanders may be the person’s only chance at survival.  

“Hands-Only CPR and basic AED training takes about an hour, and we encourage people of all ages to learn these skills,” said Melissa Dessaint, Director of Cardiac Cath Lab at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. “Performing CPR and using an AED are easy and fast to learn, and can be performed by nonmedical bystanders until professional help arrives.” 

In addition to local fire department training opportunities, CPR and Stop the Bleed courses are offered free of charge at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. Please visit HCA Florida Ocala Hospital Classes and Events to view and sign up for upcoming CPR courses.     

A part of HCA Florida Healthcare, the state’s largest cardiovascular network, HCA Florida Ocala Hospital has earned a distinguished three-star rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for its patient care and outcomes in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures as well as a new three-star designation for multiprocedural surgeries. 

The three-star rating, which denotes the highest category of quality, places HCA Florida Ocala Hospital among the elite hospitals for heart bypass surgery in the United States and Canada. 

Here’s a short video about Darryl’s experience: