Cedar Rapids Weather
Hundreds Come Out For Updated Training on "CPR Sunday"
CEDAR FALLS - Claude Brown is in his element, standing in front of a projection screen in a dark room talking CPR and, more importantly, teaching CPR.
"If you're prepared, you can do it! Don't be afraid to do it!" The energy in Brown's voice comes through, even after teaching CPR for what he calls "the last 50 years." Brown said he is an instructor to the instructors, having taught about 4,000 of them. "If a child is choking and you don't know CPR, you're going to watch him die," Brown said slowly, stretching out the syllables to underscore the importance. Brown didn't impart his training of CPR to thousands on Sunday at the UNI Wellness & Recreation Center but he did reach hundreds who came through the doors. The Hawkeye Chapter of the American Red Cross put on its 19th annual CPR training. With the emphasis on adult, infant and child CPR and AED (Automated External Defibrillation), the students who came for certification had the same end goals even if they planned to apply them differently. "Practice makes perfect and with a couple of rounds here we feel very confident," said Jeff Klein of Cedar Falls after he worked on an AED simulator with a non-human victim in need of CPR. Klein said he is looking to enhance his skills as a mountain bike patrol out on local trails and CPR certification is a requirement. As for whether he would be ready in case he had to save someone? "Absolutely, I understand there will be vomit and blood but what I've learned in class would be useful," Klein said. Michelle Thompson of Cedar Falls is hoping to be ready in case younger people need immediate assistance. "I work with preschoolers and I have a three-year-old at home," Thompson said. "My husband should learn it, too." The Hawkeye Chapter offered eight different classes throughout the day at UNI, including one class that just provided the basics. CPR Made Simple is a "short course" designed for people who want to learn the skills but are not seeking certification. After thanking another group of students in the classroom and sending them for practice, Brown noted that CPR procedures are constantly being reevaluated for optimum effectiveness. "In a two or three-hour period, I could teach you everything you need to know," Brown said before adding a touch of humor. "If you don't know it and your wife does, I'd say 'dump him and get someone who can save your life and the life of your kid!" More Good Stuff |
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