The Medic One Foundation, City of Redmond Fire Department and Physio-Control Corporation will host a Mass CPR Awareness Event with the goal of training 100 people with the American Heart Association’s new “Hands Only” CPR technique for bystanders.

This CPR awareness program – “Everybody Knows Redmond Saves” – is a two-hour free family event on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 1-3 p.m, in the auditorium of the Old Redmond School House Community Center, 16600 NE 80th St. Redmond.

Participants will take home a CPR Family and Friends Home training kit that includes a DVD, instructions and practice mannequin. This kit allows the participant to share what they have learned and reinforce CPR skills at home, in the office or with friends. This new CPR certification simplifies the act of saving the life of a person who suffers a sudden cardiac arrest.

Almost 80 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur at home and are witnessed by a family member. Only 6.4 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims survive because the vast majority of those witnessing the arrest do not know how to perform CPR. This new CPR method is simple to use, easy to remember and most importantly, can save lives.

After the CPR training event, participants may want to travel to Redmond City Hall, 15670 NE 85th Street, to take part in Redmond Lights, Redmond’s winter festival, beginning at 4 p.m. with music from the season and around the world. Santa’s arrival and tree lighting are at 5 p.m.

Also helping with the CPR event are volunteers from Evergreen and Swedish Hospitals and members of Redmond’s Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT).

For more information, contact (425) 556-2233 or mhilley@redmond.gov.