I recently had the incredible opportunity to attend the 4th Annual Every Second Counts CPR National CPR & AED Awareness Rally & March in Washington, DC. It was an inspiring and educational experience, filled with activities and events dedicated to spreading awareness about CPR and AEDs. I wanted to share some highlights from this memorable trip with you.
Day 1: March to the US Capitol
We kicked off the day bright and early, gathering at the Northwest Quadrant of the Washington Monument. By 9:30 AM, we started our march towards the US Capitol. It was an awe-inspiring sight to see so many passionate advocates walking together for such a crucial cause. The march garnered much attention, with participants raising their voices and banners to spread awareness about the importance of CPR and AEDs in saving lives. There were advocates with bullhorns and a trombone player in the crowd. We arrived at the Capitol building around 10:30 AM.
At the Capitol, there were Prestan Products manikins set out for all to demonstrate their skills. One attendee brought his Zoll Cardiac Science G5 AED and applied the pads to himself to demonstrate the safety of AEDs. We had a very diverse audience with people from all walks of life stopping to learn hands-only CPR.
At 1:30 PM, we reconvened at the Washington Monument and continued our march to the White House. When we arrived just outside the gates, Secret Service agents on foot and bicycle patrol began asking everyone to clear the street. In a scene that felt straight out of an action movie, the Prestan manikins were swiftly whisked away as if they were a threat to national security, complete with the urgency of agents protecting the president from imminent danger.
For a couple of hours, we rallied in Lafayette Square located in front of the White House, drawing attention to the critical need for lifesaving protocols and more accessible AEDs. The energy was electric, and the conversations from survivors and advocates were deeply moving.
Later that evening, I had the opportunity to attend the Heart Advocate Dinner at a quaint little pub, Tonic at Quigley’s. The food was great, and the company was even better! It was awe-inspiring to see the work being done by other CPR and AED advocates across the United States and Canada. It was a fantastic way to end the day, sharing stories and experiences with like-minded individuals.
Day 2: CPR & AED Awareness/Training Day
Saturday was packed with activities focused on CPR and AED awareness and training. My day began around 7 AM, as I packed up and headed to the Washington Monument after enjoying breakfast at the hotel. I set up our GoRescue table and began to talk to people as they enjoyed a beautiful day in our nation’s capital. I handed out keychain masks and Lifesaver candy. I’m pretty sure the Lifesavers were a hit, but people seemed to appreciate the keychain masks as well! Prestan once again had set up some manikins for free CPR and AED demonstrations. There were also some groups offering free heart screenings all day long, and of course, I can’t forget the live DJ keeping the energy high and the atmosphere fun.
At 9 AM, under the main tent, the attempt to set a world record for the longest continuous CPR relay was on. Four people would finish their 1-minute of compressions, while four others were eagerly awaiting their 1-minute countdown! Four in, four out, for several hours. We even had a few school groups come by and participate in larger groups; thanks to the overflow of CPR manikins we had on hand. It was an exhilarating experience, showcasing the importance of CPR in emergency situations.
In the end, there were 1794 participants, which was an incredible turnout. Though the record wasn’t broken in the 8-hour timespan, it’s important to know that the world record was actually set within a 24-hour period. I may be a little biased, but I’m confident that the record would have been broken if we had only had more time!
The 4th Annual Every Second Counts CPR National CPR & AED Awareness Rally & March was an unforgettable experience. It reinforced the importance of our mission to spread awareness about CPR and AEDs and to advocate for more accessible lifesaving protocols. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this event and to stand alongside so many dedicated individuals working towards a common goal.
If you’re inspired by our efforts and want to make a difference, check us out at www.GoRescue.com. We offer high quality training in CPR and AED use taught by our amazing group of Regional Lifesaving Specialists, who can come to wherever you need training! Whether you want to purchase an AED for your home, business, or organization, let GoRescue equip you with reliable and effective lifesaving tools. Every second counts, and together, we can save lives!
