TORONTO, March 13, 2013 /CNW/ - The Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Mercedes-Benz Toronto Corporate Stores are pleased to announce a new partnership that will offer the opportunity to learn the life-saving skill of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The complimentary Hands-Only CPR training sessions are open to the public and will take place at all seven Mercedes-Benz Corporate Stores in the Greater Toronto Area beginning in April 2013.
Approximately 40,000 sudden cardiac arrests occur each year in Canada, 7,000 in Ontario alone, and the majority happen at home or in public places. The survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Canada is currently a mere five per cent.
For every minute that passes without help, the chance of surviving a cardiac arrest drops seven to 10 per cent. Learning CPR is easy and it could mean saving the life of a friend or family member. When an automated external defibrillator (AED) is applied with CPR in the first few minutes, it can improve the chance of survival to up to 75 per cent.
"The Heart and Stroke Foundation urges all Canadians to learn CPR. The more people trained, the greater the chance of keeping a person who is experiencing cardiac arrest alive until an ambulance arrives," says Andrew Lotto, Manager, Resuscitation, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. "When it comes to CPR and AEDs you are in the driver's seat. We applaud the Mercedes-Benz Toronto Corporate Stores' support of our important training initiatives, which will help us increase the number of people who can administer CPR and save a life."
"Through a consistent commitment to innovation, Mercedes-Benz has introduced many sophisticated safety and assistance systems that prevent accidents and allow our valued customers to effectively negotiate a variety of challenging situations," said Jens Israng, Vice President & Head of Toronto Retail Operations. "We are extremely proud to help contribute to safer roads, and it is this dedication to safety that compelled us to partner with the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The statistics are staggering and speak for themselves. CPR training saves lives, and we are proud to offer the opportunity to learn this crucial skill in our dealerships."
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada sets the Canadian Guidelines for CPR, defibrillation and other aspects of emergency cardiovascular care in Canada. Free public CPR Skills & AED Awareness events will take place at each Mercedes-Benz Corporate Store on the dates outlined below. There will be four training sessions for each of the dates listed: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
April 7 - Mercedes-Benz Midtown
April 14 - Mercedes-Benz Downtown
May 5 - Mercedes-Benz Thornhill
October 6 - Mercedes-Benz Mississauga
November 3 - Mercedes-Benz Markham
November 10 - Mercedes-Benz Maple
November 17 - Mercedes-Benz Newmarket
To register for the date, location and time most convenient for you, please visit Mercedes-Benz.ca/CPR. Space is limited, and participants will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.
About the Heart and Stroke Foundation
The Heart and Stroke Foundation, a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living, and advocacy. Healthy lives free of heart disease and stroke. Together we will make it happen.
About Mercedes-Benz Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of the three brands within the Mercedes-Benz Group in Canada: Mercedes-Benz, AMG and smart. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. employs approximately 1,450 people in 22 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of 13 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 40 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 35,503 vehicles in 2012, the best year ever reported for Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.
Further information from Mercedes-Benz is available on the internet at: www.media.mercedes-benz.ca
Image with caption: "The Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Mercedes-Benz Toronto Corporate Stores are pleased to announce a new partnership that will offer the opportunity to learn the life-saving skill of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The complimentary Hands-Only CPR training sessions are open to the public and will take place at all seven Mercedes-Benz Corporate Stores in the Greater Toronto Area beginning in April 2013. (CNW Group/Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130313_C4758_PHOTO_EN_24546.jpg
SOURCE: Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.
Michael Minielly
Mercedes-Benz Canada
416-847-7509
[email protected]
Alex Maheux
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario
416-489 7111 Ext. 789
[email protected]
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