MyMichigan Health is training students to save lives

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving technique that can be the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. For individuals, learning CPR is a crucial skill that can help save the lives of loved ones, friends, and even strangers. 

MyMichigan Health Emergency Medical Services (EMS) employees from Gladwin recently worked with Gladwin High School Health Teacher Lauren Wetmore to certify and train 44 students in First Aid CPR/automated external defibrillator (AED) and first aid for adults, children, and infants. At the end of the training, these students received their First Aid CPR/AED certification card from the American Heart Association. 

Students also received first aid training for infants.
Zach Krahner, a MyMichigan EMS Paramedic and American Heart Association Basic Life Support and Pediatric Advanced life support (BLS/PALS) instructor, has been working with the public schools in Gladwin County for a few years teaching the students hands only CPR. This training that was completed in December at Gladwin High School was the first time that he and other MyMichigan Health staff members were able to provide the complete training with certification to students.

“The students were very engaged and wanted to learn life saving skills”, says Krahner, “Being able to effectively help, and having the knowledge to help is important.” Plans are being made to repeat this training with certification to students in Gladwin and Beaverton High Schools each semester going forward. 

CPR training helps to increase the self-confidence of individuals, who may be hesitant to act in an emergency situation. Through training, they learn how to recognize the signs of cardiac arrest, how to perform CPR, and what to do until emergency medical services arrive. This knowledge will give them the confidence to act quickly in an emergency situation and potentially save a life.

44 Gladwin High School students received training from MyMichigan Health.
“Anytime you can train someone else in CPR it makes your community safer. We would have a whole community of people keeping each other safe”, says Michelle Kent, Certification Specialist for MyMichigan Health and Training Center Coordinator with the American Heart Association. Kent works with trainers within the MyMichigan Health system to provide training throughout the community. All high schools have added CPR/AED training to their curriculum.” Kent says, “You can save a life, even with hands only training, anyone who takes CPR training can save a life anytime, anywhere.” 

Meridian Public Schools have received the HEARTSafe school award. This means that the staff and students have been trained in recognizing the signs of sudden cardiac arrest and know how to respond quickly. Meridian Early College High School students currently in the biomedical program utilize the MyMichigan Health simulation lab for training and instruction, and have received BLS for medical professionals training as well. 
Learning CPR is a crucial skill.
Cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death worldwide, and the chances of survival decrease by 10% for every minute that passes without CPR. A national television audience recently saw the benefits of CPR when a professional football player was saved during a Monday night football game.  By learning CPR, individuals can provide immediate assistance to someone experiencing cardiac arrest and increase their chances of survival. Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, at any time and in any place. By learning CPR, individuals can be prepared to respond to an emergency situation, whether it is at home, at work, or in the community. In the event of an emergency, a bystander who is trained in CPR can provide crucial assistance until paramedics arrive.

Additionally, learning CPR can also improve the chances of survival for people who have suffered a heart attack. When someone has a heart attack, the blood flow to the heart is blocked, and this can cause cardiac arrest. By performing CPR, individuals can help circulate oxygen to the heart and brain and increase the chances of survival.

CPR training is relatively easy to access. Many organizations, such as the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association, offer CPR training courses. These courses are usually taught by certified instructors and are designed to be easy to understand and practice. Some courses can be completed in as little as four hours, and many offer certification upon completion.

Learning CPR is a crucial skill that can help save the lives of loved ones, friends, and strangers. CPR training is relatively easy to access, making it a valuable skill for everyone to have. It is highly recommended for everyone to take a CPR training course and become certified.

Upcoming hands only CPR courses by MyMichigan Health will be made available to the public on Thursday February 23 at 4:30pm and 5:30pm, these training sessions will take place in room GL117 in the lower level of the Gerstacker building, located on the campus of MyMichigan Medical Center Midland. For more information, contact MyMichigan Health Line, toll-free at (800)999-3199.