October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month: Here’s How Champions Park Residents Can Help Save a Life
October marks Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Awareness Month, a time dedicated to spreading lifesaving knowledge and reminding local families that seconds matter when someone’s heart suddenly stops beating. For residents of Champions Park and nearby neighborhoods, Harris County ESD 11 is making it easier than ever to be prepared—offering free CPR and AED training designed to equip everyday citizens with the confidence to step in when it matters most.
Sudden cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. While a heart attack is a circulation problem caused by blocked arteries, SCA is an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes it to stop beating without warning. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), SCA affects more than 356,000 people in the U.S. outside of hospitals each year, and about 90% of those cases are fatal—often because bystanders don’t act quickly enough.
But there's good news: immediate CPR can double or even triple a person's chances of survival. That's why ESD 11’s free classes are such an important resource for Champions Park residents.
"Remember, if you suspect someone is in cardiac arrest, call 911 and start CPR immediately,” said a recent message from ESD 11. “You can learn CPR with us at ESD 11!”
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The district, which provides emergency medical services across northwest Harris County—including Champions Park, Willowbrook, and surrounding areas—offers free, hands-on CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) courses that are open to anyone. Whether you're a parent, a teacher, a coach, a senior caregiver, or simply someone who wants to be ready to act, these classes teach essential lifesaving skills that anyone can use.
The training covers:
- How to recognize cardiac arrest
- How to perform high-quality chest compressions
- When and how to use an AED
- The difference between a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest
Sign Up for a Free CPR/AED Class
To register or learn more about upcoming CPR and AED sessions offered by Harris County ESD 11, visit the official contact form here.
Why It Matters for Champions Park
Champions Park residents are just minutes away from Harris County ESD 11 headquarters, and having more trained hands in the neighborhood can significantly increase the chances of survival in emergencies that happen at home, at the park, or during community gatherings. With most SCA incidents occurring outside hospitals and often in homes, you could be the first—and only—responder until EMS arrives.
As SCA Awareness Month continues throughout October, residents are encouraged to take this opportunity to prepare themselves, their families, and their communities for the unexpected.
Stay tuned with My Neighborhood News for more health, safety, and emergency preparedness tips for Champions Park residents.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
