With the temperature rising the lake and area pools have been a popular hangout on the weekends.  But hitting the water, has it's risks.  Would you know how to respond to an accident on the water?  KTEN's Meredith Saldana reports.    

First responders say knowing the proper way to perform CPR could help save a life.     

June 1st through the 7th is National CPR and Automatic External Defibrillator Awareness Week.     

According to the American Heart Association 80% of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home so being trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation can mean the difference between life and death for a loved one.     

And approximately 160,000 deaths a year are the result of sudden cardiac arrest.  First responders say many of these deaths could have possibly been prevented if someone around knew CPR.

Ardmore Fire Fighter, Penelton Phillips says, "The importance of the citizens knowing CPR is generally they will be on scene in a cardiac arrest before we will and if they can begin CPR on a patient it'll help to prevent damage to those vital organs until we can arrive with advanced life support."     

Medics say this summer is the perfect time to learn CPR since many accidental drowning's could also be prevented with the proper training.     

They also stress the importance of taking the course every few years.  

In the last couple years the amount of chest compressions has risen to provide more oxygen and blood to the brain.

-Meredith Saldana, KTEN News