‘I lived’: Omaha heart association advocate says CPR saved her life

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN)-  Thousands of women suffer cardiac arrest each year and bystanders are the link between life and death for someone like Omaha’s, Ginny Curley.

“In 2010, I had a cardiac arrest,” said Curley. “I didn’t wake up in the morning, my husband kind of tried to shake me because I was breathing in an awkward way, and instead, I stopped breathing,” she said.

The heart association is working to give bystanders the ability to learn CPR which could potentially save a life.

Bryan Health’s CPR Specialist Mindi Jo Porto says regardless of the situation, the steps are the same for those in need.

“Regardless, if they’re men or women all the steps are the same,” Porto said. “When it comes to hands-only CPR, we’re still putting our hands on the chest, we’re pushing down hard and fast.”

The need for representation in training for women’s bodies helps knock down some barriers and gives essential life-saving support.

“As an educator, I know how important it is to practice something before you actually have to do it,” said Curley. “And so I think, what a great idea to make sure that the mannequins that we’re using in the training process and the CPR training, model what you’re going to encounter in the community.”

Those tools now make a difference in what would’ve ultimately cost Curley’s life.

“I have lived for an amazing 12 years, because my husband was able to perform that CPR and because the dispatcher could walk him through it over the phone,” she said. “I see this as another one of those great developments as we do get to understand how to get help to people who need it.”