Imagine you’re at a family gathering and grandpa collapses. He has no pulse and is not breathing.
Do you know what to do besides dial 9-1-1?
If you don’t, two opportunities to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are coming up in the next few weeks.
CPR is an emergency medical procedure for victims in either cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest.
It consists of artificial blood circulation through chest compressions and artificial respiration via blowing air directly into a victim’s lungs.
The Oxford Fire Dept. will host a CPR/First Aid class on Saturday, Sept. 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
If you miss that, the Southeast Michigan Coalition to Promote Resuscitation will be hosting two-hour CPR sessions throughout the day on Saturday, Sept. 29 at Oakland University in an attempt to break a Guinness World’s Record.
‘Immediate CPR and defibrillation can increase somebody’s survival rate by (as much as) 74 percent,? according to Nancy Hunger, EMS Coordinator for the Oxford Fire Dept.
The fire department typically holds a combined CPR/First Aid class for the public once a month. ‘I usually wait until we get a few phone calls then schedule one,? Hunger said.
Class cost is $45 and participants are certified in both CPR and First Aid upon completion. CPR-only classes are available for $25 and they take about three hours to complete.
Only a few people have signed up for this month’s class so Hunger is looking for more.
‘I’ve only got four so far,? she said. ‘I would really like to get a bigger class.?
The following week Hunger will be an instructor at the World’s Record CPR Challenge at the Shotwell-Gustafson Pavilion (Oakland University) in Rochester Hills.
‘We’re looking to get the word out,? she said.
The goal is to train between 2,500 and 3,000 individuals (11 years and older) in the American Heart Association’s Family and Friends program, a non-certified course that teaches how to save lives.
‘It’s a good thing,? Hunger said. ‘It’s free CPR (training) for people who might not be able to afford it, however, they still want it.?
The current Guinness World’s Record is 2,308 people trained in CPR at the St. John Ambulance Center in Australia on June 28, 2006. The record is measured by the number of people that participate on the day.
Pre-registration is a good idea, but walk-ins are welcome. The first session will begin at 6:30 a.m. and last at 2 p.m.
For more information call (248) 858-8020 (ext. 5180) or visit www.ocmca.org/cpr. To register for Oxford’s class, call Hunger by Sept. 17 at 969-9483.