May 29, 2013 -- Sudden cardiac arrests often take place at home or in public, and when they do, only one-third of the victims get CPR from a bystander, often leading to unnecessary death.

On June 4, in recognition of National CPR Week, Santa Monica will be one of a number of cities across Southern California that will help increase the number of “lifesavers” when it hosts a free program to teach how to perform hands only CPR.

Hosted by the Fire Department, the program will be held at Santa Monica Place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Although the training will not result in CPR certification, information on how to get certified will be available.

“CPR instructors will be on hand to demonstrate the basics and proper techniques of Hands-Only CPR, and participants will have the opportunity to practice on mannequins,” Fire Department officials said.

“By using Hands-Only CPR, bystanders can still act to improve the odds of survival, whether they are trained in conventional CPR or not.

According to health officials, nearly 300,000 out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrests -- 80 percent of which occur at home – take place each year, and only 32 percent of cardiac arrest victims get CPR from a bystander.

“Cardiac arrests are more common than you think, and they can happen to anyone at any time,” officials said. “Failure to act in a cardiac emergency can lead to unnecessary deaths.”

In fact, less than eight percent of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital survive, according to health officials. By comparison, CPR provided by an effective bystander immediately after sudden cardiac arrest “can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival.”

The Countywide effort to teach hands-only CPR is coordinated by the American Heart Association (AHA) in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency.

“Anyone can learn CPR – and the American Heart Association believes that everyone should,” association officials said.

Emergency healthcare providers, including fire departments, ambulance companies, hospitals and education programs will take part in the effort.

“Sadly, 70 percent of Americans may feel helpless to act during a cardiac emergency because they either do not know how to administer CPR or their training has significantly lapsed,” Heart Association officials said.

“This alarming statistic could hit close to home, because home is exactly where 80 percent of cardiac arrests occur. Put very simply: The life you save with CPR is mostly likely to be someone you love.”