Seventeen area residents recently participated in a Family and Friends CPR session at Community Hospital in Munster that included not only adult-sized mannequins but children- and infant-sized too.
“I have an 11-month-old daughter at home and want to be prepared should something happen,” Hobart mother Keri Moore said. “This class is very important to me.”
Attendees listened to a lecture from instructor Cheryl Perry and watched a video outlining the specifics of five different types of CPR — adult hands-only CPR, child CPR with breaths, adult and child automatic external defibrillator (AED) use, infant CPR, and relief of choking in an adult, child or infant.
The group environment included an instructional movie, produced by the American Heart Association using its practice-while-watching technique, which provides students with the most hands-on CPR practice time possible.
The mannequins were located at each table in the classroom, allowing for participants to rise from their seats and begin as they were instructed at each interval in the video.
Connie Meedey of Hebron had never taken a CPR class before but has good reason to attend one now.
“I’ll be having my first grandchild soon and I would like to have this information,” she said, as she waited for the class to begin. “I want to be well-prepared.”
Seated behind her were Brianna and Jason Gabehart of Highland, her daughter and son-in-law.
“It’s been years since I’ve been in a class like this. I definitely need a refresher course,” Jason said.
Brandy previously worked in health care, so she was aware of the various CPR methods used for adults, children and infants. “But I need a refresher class too,” she said. “The American Heart Association makes this class easy to understand.”
Community Hospital nurse Kilane Jacobs has been assisting instructor Cheryl Perry in the CPR class for the past 16 years. Jacobs reiterates the importance of having the skills and knowledge in an emergency.
“It’s always nice to be able to save a life when you can,” she said. ‘”You never know when tragedy will strike.”
Community Hospital emergency room nurse Anne Yakubill also has assisted in the classes for many years.
“I’ve seen many (emergencies) at sporting events, and I urge every parent to become educated in CPR,” she said. “It can save a life.”
Family and Friends CPR is geared toward those who want to learn CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but do not need certification for their job. This course is ideal for schools and students, new parents, grandparents, baby sitters and others interested in learning how to save a life.
“You made a great choice to come here tonight,” Perry told participants. “CPR is a great tool to have in your toolbox.”
The American Heart Association’s Family and Friends CPR program continues at Community Hospital on a bi-monthly basis. For more information about classes and programs, call 219-836-1600.
Ruth Ann Krause is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
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