WE are taught from early how to wait. Waiting is a part of our day to day life. Whether it is sitting in traffic or in a line to buy something. However, when it comes to cardiac arrest, we simply cannot wait to act.

Cardiac arrest requires Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to increase the victim’s chances of recovery. CPR does not require a medical degree; it requires a pair of willing hands and the decisive courage to act. As we mark CPR Week from August 17 to August 22, the Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ) continues its mission to promote heart health and is encouraging everyone to learn this lifesaving skill.

When sudden cardiac arrest occurs, oxygenated blood ceases to circulate to vital organs. Within a mere four to six minutes, cellular death begins within the brain, leading to irreversible neurological impairment. For every single minute that passes without bystander intervention, the statistical probability of survival plummets. CPR acts as a vital bridge. In these fragile moments, the patient’s survival does not solely depend on the speed of an ambulance or the arrival of a medical team. But rather, immediate assistance lies with ordinary individuals standing nearby. Through public education campaigns around CPR the HFJ aims to empower each person to save a life.

Health professionals including emergency medical technicians, nurses and physicians are trained to deliver advanced life support. However, if a community relies solely on professional medical response, survival rates will remain low. Parents, teenagers, teachers, and colleagues possesses the physical capacity to perform chest compressions.

By training the general public, we shift the responsibility of survival from the hospital ward directly to the community. Most cardiac emergencies actually happen outside of medical facilities. These tragic events happen in places where we spend most of our daily lives such as our homes, schools, workplaces and churches. Therefore, the person you are likely to witness having cardiac arrest will be someone you know and love.

With this in mind, learning how to recognise the signs of cardiac arrest quickly as well as how to perform CPR can make the difference between life and death for your loved one. There is no greater sense of helplessness than watching a loved one slip away simply because you did not know how to pump their heart. There is no greater empowerment than having the skill, through training, to step forward, place your hands on their chest, and actively preserve their life.

Occupational stress, underlying cardiovascular disease, and sedentary habits elevate the risk of sudden cardiac events during the workday. A corporate environment equipped with certified CPR responders not only saves the life of staff but also of customers and visitors. Employers who invest in training their staff directly protect their corporate equity and their human resource.

Similarly, our educational institutions should serve as the incubators for this life-saving culture. Schools are places where children, young adults, educators, and athletic coaches interact daily. Genetic cardiac anomalies, severe physical exertion during sports, or accidental choking could instantly cause a child’s heart to stop. When teachers, administrative staff, and older children know how to recognise the signs and how to resuscitate, they can save a life and protect our nation’s future. It would be ideal if there could be mandatory training within high schools guaranteeing that successive generations enter adulthood with an essential skill and the confidence to act.

Our churches and places of worship also represent vital community epicentres. Congregations naturally attract diverse demographics, including elderly citizens who carry a higher statistical predisposition to cardiovascular diseases and heart attacks. Equipping church leaders, ushers and congregants with CPR training ensures that our sacred spaces are prepared to handle physical crises alongside spiritual guidance.

The vision of the Heart Foundation of Jamaica is for there to be a world-class standard of emergency cardiac care across our island. Achieving this requires a cultural shift where resuscitation training becomes a standard rite of passage for every citizen. We envision a Jamaica where automated external defibrillators are standard fixtures in every public building, and where any bystander can confidently step forward to manage a cardiac crisis. This benchmark is entirely within our reach, but it demands collective institutional support and individual commitment.

When a nation embraces widespread resuscitation training, it builds the confidence in the general public to respond to cardiac emergencies. The HFJ urges every individual, corporate leader, religious minister, and school principal to take immediate action. Do not wait for a tragedy to expose a lack of preparedness. Contact the Heart Foundation of Jamaica during this commemorative week, enrol in a certified training course, and equip yourself or your organization with the skills to intervene. When cardiac arrest strikes, hesitation is fatal. Don’t wait — resuscitate. Your hands hold the power to keep a heart beating and to keep a family whole.

Dr Hugh Wong is director of emergency cardiac care, Heart Foundation of Jamaica.

Dr Hugh Wong.