City Of Marion: Free CPR Class Can Teach You To Be A Life-Saver

Marion IA

15 December, 2021

10:54 AM

Description

Press release from the City of Marion: 12/14/2021 2:00 PM Ten minutes. That's how much time you have to save a life. If someone you know - or maybe even a complete stranger - has a heart attack or an injury that stops their blood flow, those first 10 minutes make all the difference. If proper CPR is started, the odds of a positive outcome are increased about 10-fold. That's why the Rotary Club of Linn County and the Marion Fire Department are hosting a Community CPR Training Class on Saturday, Feb. 19, at the new headquarters for the Marion Fire Department, 100 Irish Drive. The training is free to Marion residents, ages 16 and older, as a service to the community. Enrollment is limited, so only early enrollees are guaranteed a spot. Visit rotarylc.org and follow the links to CPR Training to enroll. The class will start at 9 a.m. and conclude at noon. Multiple family members may enroll as long as space allows. Kale McBurney, training chief for the Marion Fire Department, says that under the best of circumstances, it often takes longer than 5 minutes for paramedics to arrive at a scene where life-saving measures are needed. That's why they want more community people trained in CPR and ready to act. "Early CPR on a victim is what helps save a life," McBurney says. "It makes our job easier when we get there. It's a game-changer." He points to a recent incident at an area sporting event where a man suddenly went into cardiac arrest. Two bystanders stepped in and began CPR until paramedics arrived, saving the man's life. The Community CPR training is free, but if you need Heartsaver certification from the American Heart Association, you will have to pay that fee ($25) on training day. Infant CPR and AED (defibrillator) training will be part of the class. "One of the focal missions of our Rotary Club is making our communities safer and healthier for all residents," says Michelle Bell, Rotary Club of Linn County President. "Getting more people trained in lifesaving CPR skills is one way we can do that." "Area businesses, churches, schools, senior citizen gathering places, government offices, or other places where people meet should have people trained in CPR," adds Bell. "We're very happy we can help make this happen." This will be the fifth year the Rotary Club has facilitated free Community CPR classes, after a one-year pause due to COVID-19. The previous classes in Mount Vernon trained a total of 120 people in lifesaving CPR skills. Enough CPR training mannequins and Fire Department trainers will be available for a class size of 40 people. Early pre-registration will help you get a spot. This press release was produced by the City of Marion. The views expressed here are the author's own.