News : CPR Class Held; First Aid Course set for March 29th

Ten area people met over the weekend to certify or be re-certified in CPR, (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED use, (automated external defibrillator.)

Instructors were Dan Johnson and Elana Janss-Johnson, paramedics from Belle Plaine Ambulance Service. Dan is also the head of Benton County Emergency Medical Services.

Dan and Elana feel it is good to offer courses like this because, “We are in a rural setting. It is especially good to know CPR and basic first aid. The ambulance can’t always get to a victim in 5 minutes. After 4 minutes of no pulse or breathing, the brain starts to die. That is why knowing CPR saves lives.”

The group learned CPR and AED use for infant, child and adult protocol.

Gina Neal commented, “I am becoming foster care certified and I need to know CPR. It seems we always have children around our house!” Neal was grateful to learn how different the infant/child airway is from the adult, so the technique for opening the airway is slightly different.

Scott Hansen took the course also. He states, “I just made the decision that I don’t want to be one of those who just stands by when something bad is happening. I want to be able to help.”

Cali Arbuckle is planning to become a CNA-certified nursing assistant, and will benefit from knowing CPR.

Macy, Cali’s sister, is involved with babysitting and took the course to gain skills in case of emergencies when she is in charge of children.

Several others took the course for professional job requirements.