On Feb. 13 in the Edgerton Atrium and Feb. 18 in the West Campus Atrium, Sacred Heart University Public Safety offered two free CPR training events in partnership with American Medical Response (AMR). The events covered topics such as recognizing cardiac arrest, how to properly call for help and how to perform CPR.
Source: Nicholas Bosticco, Staff Writer and Photographer
“It is important to have the skill of hands-only CPR so that you can recognize the symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest and give that person a better chance of survival. The more people who are willing to learn this skill increases the chances of someone being around when a sudden cardiac arrest occurs,” said Gary MacNamara, executive director of Public Safety.
Public Safety has had a longstanding relationship with American Medical Response, which supports the department with coverage of events such as graduation, concerts, and athletic events, as well as assisting with on-campus medical training.
“The event was organized by SHU Public Safety officer Phil Brenda, who works with AMR. We advertised it to students, faculty and staff, and the event was attended by someone from each area of the SHU community,” said MacNamara.
According to AMR’s website, “American Medical Response is a leading provider of emergency medical services (EMS), delivering quality pre-hospital healthcare to thousands of communities across the United States. Our teams of highly trained and dedicated medical professionals partner with large and small hospital systems, counties and municipalities to ensure patients receive the right level of care, right when they need it.”
“The event was geared to teach anyone about recognizing a cardiac arrest, calling for help quickly and performing effective chest compressions. Through this basic skill, it increases the person’s chance of survival by double or even triple. It further builds confidence in being able to act in a cardiac arrest emergency,” said MacNamara. “The hands-only sessions were not official certification classes, but anyone in the SHU community can reach out for further information about them.”
Senior Gianna Agosto did not attend the CPR training events but said she would be interested in attending one in the future, as she recognizes how essential it is to have CPR training and knowledge.
“CPR training is important because we are constantly surrounded by peers and students, and if anything happens to anyone, it’s important that we know how to keep each other safe,” said Agosto.
MacNamara said that these information sessions were scheduled for this time of year because February is American Heart Month.
According to the American Heart Association’s website, “In one year alone, 436,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest. Globally, cardiac arrest claims more lives than colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, influenza, pneumonia, auto accidents, HIV, firearms, and house fires combined.”
Although the events supported cardiac arrest education, they did not offer CPR certification.
“We have offered free training in the past to the SHU community, such as free AED demonstrations. Public Safety does run CPR certification classes for a small fee. This free hands-only CPR training is likely to be held in the future,” said MacNamara.
AMR also offers its own information and education sessions.
“As the leading provider of emergency and non-emergency ambulance services in the United States, with local operations in communities across the country, we know how important it is to keep up with the latest in our profession. AMR offers nationally accredited EMS education through our own training institutes,” according to the AMR website.
Sudden cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, at any time, and information sessions like the ones held by Public Safety and AMR are meant to improve chances of cardiac event survival.
