New Orleans EMS and American Red Cross partner to host free “Big Easy Lifesaver Day”
Oct. 10, teaching residents the skills that save lives before help arrives.
NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Emergency Medical Services (NOEMS) and the American Red Cross Louisiana Region will host the inaugural “Big Easy Lifesaver Day” on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rosenwald Recreation Center, 1120 S. Broad St. The free, family-friendly event teaches New Orleans residents hands-on emergency skills from CPR to overdose reversal, and organizers hope it becomes an annual fixture on the city’s calendar.
“In Orleans Parish, EMS responds to an average of 587 cardiac arrests each year. Administering immediate CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest,” said Bill Salmeron, Chief of New Orleans EMS. “Our paramedics and EMTs see every day how much of a difference immediate bystander action makes to a patient’s outcome. Partnering with the Red Cross lets us bring that training directly into New Orleans neighborhoods and put life-saving skills in the hands of residents of all ages.”
Bystanders are often the first link in the chain of survival, acting minutes before first responders can reach the scene. Big Easy Lifesaver Day is designed to close that gap by giving neighbors, parents and students the confidence to step in during a medical emergency whether that means starting chest compressions, protecting a wound or reversing an opioid overdose.
“We want a parent who sees their child choking, or a neighbor who witnesses a cardiac arrest on their block, to know exactly what to do in that first minute,” said Kenneth St. Charles, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer for the American Red Cross Louisiana Region. “That’s what Big Easy Lifesaver Day is for. We’re teaching practical skills, in plain language, so people feel ready to act the moment an emergency happens.”
Registration is free, but space is limited. Residents are urged to register now at RedCross.org/Louisiana.
Free Hands-On Training
Certified instructors from EMS and the Red Cross will lead rotating training sessions throughout the day, including:
- Hands-Only CPR — chest compression techniques to sustain blood flow during cardiac arrest.
- Choking Relief — airway-clearing and abdominal thrust techniques for adults and children.
- Stop the Bleed — hemorrhage control, including direct pressure, wound packing and tourniquet use.
- Narcan (Naloxone) Administration — recognizing opioid overdose and safely administering reversal medication.
Health Screenings, Resources and Touch-a-Truck
Beyond the training sessions, attendees can visit a community resource fair offering free health screenings and connect with local organizations providing community and health services.
Outside the recreation center, families can get an up-close look at emergency response vehicles including EMS ambulances, New Orleans Fire Department trucks and Red Cross disaster relief vehicles while meeting local first responders during an interactive Touch-a-Truck experience.
Event Details
- What: Big Easy Lifesaver Day
- When: Saturday, Oct. 10 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Where: NORD Rosenwald Recreation Center, 1120 S. Broad St., New Orleans, LA 70125
- Cost: Free and open to the public
- Registration: Free but strongly recommended in advance at RedCross.org/Louisiana. Skill sessions have limited space and are expected to fill.