Wednesday night, Shawano Ambulance offered a free, hands-only CPR class to residents hoping to learn the life-saving method.
The hands-only class eliminates the need to perform mouth-to-mouth, which is much less personal. When it comes to offering CPR training, it’s become apparent that mouth-to-mouth has become a deterrant for those wanting to learn.
“We’re seeing more and more success in resuscitating people by getting more people to do CPR,” said Kevin King, who has been with Shawano Ambulance for 30 years. “Getting them to do hands-on, it is much easier for them and the feel more comfortable doing so. We’re seeing a lot more people surviving cardiac arrest.”
The class was non-certification, however those who complete it, walk away with life-saving knowledge while practicing on an adult mannequin.
“I think people are very relieved to see that it’s not as hard as what they thought it was,” King said of the class. “They walk out with the feeling that if they should encounter somebody, and that’s one of my parting comments before they leave, as they leave here tonight and they’re walking down the street and see somebody collapse, they now know what to do.”
Nine people participated in Tuesday’s class, which is offered by Shawano Ambulance on an as needed basis.
King adds they do have a waiting list and they generally cap the class at ten participants.