SDG&E CEO Caroline Winn is leading the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Go Red for Women campaign with the goal of empowering our community to take control of their heart health and protect themselves against cardiovascular disease. As part of her chairwomanship, SDG&E partnered with the AHA to provide Hands-Only CPR training to our workforce and students at Monarch School San Diego. Hands-only CPR is known as compression-only CPR which eliminates the need for rescue breaths and reduces the risk of spreading illnesses. According to the AHA, Hands-Only CPR is shown to be just as effective as conventional CPR.
CPR Day At SDG&E
On January 18, SDG&E CEO Caroline Winn invited employees to take a few minutes to learn Hands-Only CPR at one of several SDG&E campuses. While almost 50% of our workforce is already fully CPR-certified, over 300 employees still answered the call to refresh their knowledge of this life-saving exercise. Aside from practicing on the CPR manikins, employees were also able to get their blood pressure checked and learn how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) which can also be used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
Employees, including many directors and officers, left feeling empowered and more confident knowing they could help save a life at work, at home or in public.
“I went through this exact training a few weeks ago, and it’s harder than you think,” said SDG&E CEO Caroline Winn. “I want to make sure that we as a company and a community are as safe as possible.”
Training Students at Monarch School San Diego
A week prior, SDG&E and the American Heart Association (AHA) visited Monarch School to educate students, faculty and community members on Hands-Only CPR and other lifesaving first aid techniques. This event helped instill a sense of confidence, community connection and career considerations in students who might not otherwise be exposed to this sort of training.
Monarch School is a nonprofit in San Diego that serves as a place for unhoused students to find stability and education through a sense of belonging.
Students also received training kits that included a “practice while you watch” video program that teaches the skills of Hands-Only CPR, how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) and various other first aid actions. In addition to the training kits provided to each student, Caroline generously donated individual kits for the students to take with them to educate their loved ones.
According to the AHA, when a person has a cardiac arrest, their survival depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby. SDG&E is proud to increase the number of employees and community members who now know how to administer Hands-Only CPR.
If you are interested in getting CPR certified, visit American Heart Association CPR & First Aid.