Around a dozen Marion residents and workers at local businesses were at Town Hall early Thursday as Marion Police Department and Metro Ambulance held their second community CPR training.

 

The free training was begun by Police Chief Randall Davis, who wanted to make sure lifesaving resources were available in the event of an emergency. The first class, held in March, was a resounding success with more than 16 residents completing the training.

 

Kevin Smith, executive director for Metro Ambulance, said research is very clear that early intervention such as CPR saves lives in cardiac arrest events. Having someone on hand who knows how to perform CPR and provide that initial treatment can double or triple a patient’s chances of recovery.

 

“You don’t take CPR for yourself. You really can’t do a lot for yourself other than maybe be aware if you have something going on,” he said. “But the CPR class that you take, the skills you learn, is for somebody else, a complete stranger or it could be your family members.”

 

Many people don’t know what to do in the event of an emergency, Smith said, and so they don’t do anything. With the CPR certification, residents will know what to do and will be able to provide the early intervention needed to buy emergency responders the minutes needed to arrive on scene.

 

Anne Smith, a paramedic and crew chief with Metro Ambulance who was one of the instructors for Thursday’s class, said the most important thing for residents to learn is chest compressions. By immediately beginning chest compressions, blood continues to circulate, delivering oxygen to the brain and other critical organs and maximizing the chances for resuscitation.

 

“That’s going to be the most important thing. If you don’t do anything else on somebody that’s gone out, doesn’t have a pulse, it’s chest compressions,” she said.

 

Thursday’s course also taught residents how to properly use an AED or Automated External Defibrillator, which delivers an electric shock to help a heart regain an effective rhythm. Smith said the availability of AEDs has grown significantly since they were first introduced, and they are now common to see stocked in schools, churches and even small businesses.

 

There are many different brands of AED available, Smith said, ranging from upwards of $8,000 for a robust machine useful in ambulances, fire trucks and other first responder vehicles, to $1,500 for a small emergency kit AED for a small business or church.

 

John Hollingsworth, another of Thursday’s instructors, said most AED’s will walk users through properly using the device in an emergency.

 

With the second class now complete, Davis said plans are rolling for classes three and four later this spring. There will never be enough people CPR certified, he said, but as long as residents keep signing up for the classes, he and Metro will continue to hold them.

 

Marion residents interested in taking the CPR course are encouraged to call Town Hall to sign up, Davis said. Each class can teach up to 20 people.