Event FAQs

Q: What is the Gabrielle Giffords Honorary Save-a-Life Saturday event?

A: To honor Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and all those involved in the recent Tucson tragedy, the American Red Cross will offer free training in life-saving skills at more than 100 locations across the country on Saturday, March 19. The course will last one-hour and include instruction in hands-only CPR, controlling external bleeding, and managing shock.

Q: Why is the Red Cross offering this free day of training?

A: The tragedy in Tucson is a reminder of how important it is for everyone to know first aid and CPR. We can all make our communities safer places by learning what to do when an emergency happens around us.

Although most emergencies are not as large as the one in Tucson, we want the public to remember that emergencies can happen—at home, the office or at school—and being prepared is important and not as difficult as they may imagine.

A Red Cross survey given in 2010 found that one in four people (27 percent) have found themselves in a situation where someone needed CPR. Recent research also shows that if more people learned hands-only CPR, we could increase the likelihood of surviving cardiac emergencies that occur outside a hospital by putting more victims within a few steps of lifesaving assistance.

Q: Why is the Red Cross honoring Congresswoman Giffords?

A: The Red Cross was inspired by Gabrielle Giffords and the bravery of all those involved. In that spirit, we are pleased to honor them by hosting this event.

As the tragic event in Tucson unfolded, several bystanders who knew CPR and first aid were able to apply these vital skills and help save the lives of many victims, including Congresswoman Giffords. This inspired the Red Cross to offer these free trainings in communities nationwide on March 19th, to encourage everyone to learn these skills and save lives.

Q: How is Congresswoman Giffords’ office participating?

A: Congresswoman Giffords’ staff believes she is alive in part because one individual who was trained in first aid provided her with immediate care. They have expressed their appreciation to the Red Cross for offering lifesaving training classes across the country and are encouraging everyone to get trained on Saturday, March 19

Q: Who else is participating in the training events?

A: On March 16, Congresswoman Giffords’ fellow members of Congress, and their staff, are invited to participate in free Save-a-Life classes on the Hill. These friends and colleagues will honor Giffords by learning the life-saving skills and encouraging their constituents to become trained to assist in their communities.

Q: How did you decide on these three skills for the class?

A: Hands-only CPR, controlling external bleeding, and managing shock are skills that are easy to learn and can make a big difference in saving lives. They are also the primary skills used to save lives the day of the shooting in Tucson.

Q: Who is sponsoring the Save a Life trainings?

A: The Red Cross is able to provide this free training with the generous support of Walgreens and Safeway.

Q: When is the Save-a-Life event?

A: The Save-a-Life event is Saturday, March 19, 2011. Participants can contact their local participating Red Cross chapter for class times and registration information.

Q: Where are the events being held?

A: The trainings will take place in Tucson, Arizona; Houston, Texas; and more than 100 other locations from Alaska to Puerto Rico. A list and map of specific locations where free training will be offered can be found on the national event website at www.redcross.org/savealife.

Q: How long is the training?

A: The classes will take about 45 minutes to an hour, allowing a large number of people to be trained during the day.

Q: How can people participate?

A: Those wishing to participate can contact their local participating Red Cross chapter for class times, locations and registration information.

Q: Will participants get a certification from taking the course?

A: Participants will not receive certification at the Save-a-Life Saturday training since they won’t be receiving the full version of the courses. The event training is abbreviated so that we can reach a broad audience and teach the more basic skills to a large number of people in a short amount of time.

Those wanting full CPR and first aid training that will prepare them to help in a broader range of emergencies will be given guidance on registering for the courses for certification through their local Red Cross.

Q: What if people can’t attend a Save-a-Life training?

A: On March 19, the Red Cross will premiere a special set of videos teaching the skills taught at the Save-a-Life event. Beginning on that date people can visit www.redcross.org/savealife to see video instruction on hands-only CPR, controlling external bleeding, and managing shock. People can also contact their local Red Cross chapter to find out when full CPR and first aid classes for certification are offered.