Richland offers basic CPR training to groups as part of its Heart Safe program

The city of Richland has a goal to reduce the number of heart-attack-related deaths.

To do that, they want to train residents to provide basic CPR chest compressions in case you're nearby when someone needs it.

"Just become the pump for that person," says Firefighter Paramedic Josh Smith. "Push hard and fast in the center of the chest and provide them compressions until EMS arrives. So, you've primed that pump and made it receptive to the high quality of care that we can provide once we arrive."

The Heart Safe Richland training only lasts about 30 minutes, and can equip local groups to be prepared to provide basic first aid if someone goes into cardiac arrest.

Just last weekend, an off-duty nurse saved the life of a stranger when she saw him collapse as he walked in Kennewick, and stopped to perform CPR until Benton County Fire District One paramedics arrived on the scene.

Smith acknowledged that some people are concerned about being held liable for any issues that arise if they stop to administer CPR or other first aid.

"You probably will feel some cracking for the first few compressions, and that's cartilage within the chest wall, maybe a rib-- but it's nothing that can't be fixed," Smith said. "If anything happens after you've administered first aid, you're covered by the Good Samaritan Act. It's an RCW in the state of Washington. As long as you've utilized your best intentions to help that person, you are not liable for any repercussions afterward, it doesn't matter the outcome."

Richland Fire Department will begin offering the Heart Safe Richland training in June.

"We're really trying to target groups of 25, or more. But if you're a single person that's interested, let us know and we'll put you on the list."

Once you're trained in compression-only CPR, you can sign up to receive alerts in the event that someone near you goes into cardiac arrest.

The alerts are sent through PulsePoint, a free smartphone app.

For more information or to schedule a class, contact Shauna Tillman-Knight at 509-942-7718, or email Josh Smith, program director for Heart Safe Richland.