If someone’s heart stops beating --- death occurs within 10 minutes

Here’s what you can do!

by KAA Chapter Bro CPittman III

April 10, 2025, Decatur, GA – “You can confidently take immediate CPR steps when someone’s heart stops, you don’t have to feel so powerless as you stand around after a 9-1-1 call,” expressed Omega’s Kappa Alpha Chapter Bro Craig ‘Zap’ Simmons who recently conducted training for a gathering on a Saturday morning at the South Dekalb Family YMCA. “Man, your actions, could make a big difference in helping save a life of a family member, a friend, coworker, or someone you don’t know.”

The primary subjects of this First Aid CPR AED training were the Omega KNIGHTS who are middle to high school grade students. The KNIGHTS (Knowledgeable Noble Individuals Geared Heavily Towards Success) have been under the mentorship of KAA brothers for approximately seven years. Bro. Simmons, who is a retired Atlanta Firefighter with over 26 years’ experience, emphasized that one’s ability and confidence to respond in emergency situations will be greatly increased as result of this combined hands-on training, video, and workbook reading.

To increase a person’s chance of survival until medical help arrives, you can perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) which is better than no CPR. In the US, medical help takes an average of 4 to 10 minutes to arrive after a 9-1-1 call, but, when someone’s heart stops, death occurs within 10 minutes, according to the American Heart Association. However, when a certified person applies the combination of CPR and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) it provides the best chance of saving a life. The Omega Knights and KAA Chapter brothers were certified after the completion of training and testing, which included also how to use CPR on children and infants, along with methods to help all choking and bleeding victims.

KAA is currently lead by Brothers: Basileus Tim Roberson, Vice Basileus Clint Raines, Sam Rhue, the Fatherhood and Mentoring chair, and Jamaal Green, the KNIGHTS chair.  What’s your role?

Besides providing this training, Bro. Simmon’s company NGS Associates LLC is a Consulting Organization licensed in the State of Georgia that has expertise and certifications in: Fire Services Operations Standards and Operation Procedures; National Fire Protection Association Inspection Standards and Operating Procedures; National Incident Management Operations and Procedures; Georgia Public Safety Fire Suppression Standards and Operation Procedures; Georgia Public Safety Inspection Standards and Procedures; Georgia Public Safety Adjunct Instructor; American Heart Instructors in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, 1st Aid and Automated External Defibrillator; Georgia Insurance Certifications in Property Casualty, Life, Sickness and Accident, Public Adjuster and Resident Adjuster; Licensed and Bonded as a Public Adjuster; Licensed Registered Nurse with expertise in Utilization Management and Care Coordination; Nationally Certified Case Manager; Nationally Certified Cognitive MoCA Assessor; Certified Georgia High School Football Lay Coach; and Licensed Certified Emergency Medical Technician. (contact 770-616-7775)