Help Save Lives: Heart Rhythm Society Provides AED and CPR Training to San Diego Hotel and Convention Center Staff

SAN DIEGO, April 16, 2025 – As the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) prepares to kick off its annual conference, Heart Rhythm 2025, on April 24, 2025, in San Diego, CA, it is providing seven life-saving training sessions for San Diego hotels, San Diego Convention Center, and supporting vendors. Each training session will teach employees how to operate an automated external defibrillator (AED) and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

When experiencing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), time is a critical factor. About 60-80% of people who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest die before reaching the hospital. CPR and AED use can double or triple someone’s chance of survival. Many San Diego hotels and public buildings are equipped with AEDs, but training the public on how to use these life-saving devices is crucial. An AED delivers an electrical shock through the chest to the heart when it detects an abnormal rhythm and changes the rhythm back to normal.

“Our global Society of heart rhythm care professionals wanted to give back to the community we will call home for a week by providing life-saving training,” said Patricia Blake, CEO, Heart Rhythm Society. “Hotels and convention centers often have AEDs, but the devices are not helpful if people do not know how to use them. HRS will facilitate the training of local staff who may be able to offer help in an emergency situation when every second counts.”

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest claims the lives of nearly 350,000 people in the U.S. each year. In San Diego, only 8.2% of people who experienced a cardiac arrest survive, which is just below the national average.

“HRS is one of the San Diego Convention Center’s most valued and innovative clients. Training San Diegans is essential, and we applaud HRS for making AED/CPR training available to our convention center team and hotel partners,” said Rip Rippetoe, President and CEO, San Diego Convention Center. “Executing events successfully means executing events safely. San Diego is proud to partner with HRS on this important initiative.”

The San Diego Convention Center anticipates hosting more than 90 events in 2026, drawing more than 805,000 attendees.

Training Events Details

Manchester Hyatt
Thursday, April 17, 2025, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Hard Rock Hotel
Thursday, April 17, 2025, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Pendry
Friday, April 18, 2025, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

San Diego Convention Center
Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Marriott Marquis
Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Marriott Gaslamp San Diego
Thursday, April 24, 2025, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

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About the Heart Rhythm Society

The Heart Rhythm Society is the international leader in science, education, and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients and is the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders. Its mission is to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education, and optimal healthcare policies and standards. Incorporated in 1979 and based in Washington, D.C., it has a membership of more than 9,000 heart rhythm professionals from 94 countries. For more information, visit www.HRSonline.org.