ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Servicemembers knelt on soft black mats in a classroom with their clasped hands on the chests of flesh-colored test dummies. The students' rhythmic up and down movements compressed the air out of the mannequins' mock lungs as the room resounded with the sound of the Bee Gees' hit "Staying Alive."
Barry Nowell, an instructor for the Heartsaver cardiopulmonary resuscitation training course and resuscitative medicine coordinator, looked upon his students with enthusiasm, exclaiming that they should compress the chest in sync with the beat of the music, which was approved by the American Heart Association as a pace-keeper for the needed 100 compressions per minute necessary for CPR.
The instructors with the 79th Medical Group are currently offering CPR classes to Department of Defense members at Malcolm Grow Medical Center.
Students learn the proper procedures for the resuscitation of adults and children in multiple situations, the use of an automated external defibrillator as well as the Heimlich maneuver.
Instructional tools used include a life-size torso and head of test dummies, training AED machines, mouth guards, videos and booklets.
Staff Sgt. Terri Smith, a student and senior controller for the 89th Airlift Wing, said the instructors were great and they helped her to think about the important aspects of the CPR process.
Mr. Nowell stressed the significance of all servicemembers becoming CPR certified, and that the courses could also be provided at squadrons here by servicemembers who become instructor certified.
"Once they become instructors and all other qualifications are met, the squadrons then become an approved satellite for the hospital," said Mr. Nowell.
Classes are held five to six times a month and last between three and four hours. For more information on the Heartsaver course, becoming an instructor, or to schedule a class, call 240-857-8870.
Eight essential tips for safe application of CPR 1. If you come upon a person who appears not to be breathing, make sure the area is safe before performing CPR.
2. Call out for help and direct someone to call 911. If no one is available, make the call yourself.
3. Check to see if the person is breathing: Tilt their head back and place your ear a few inches from the person's nose and mouth facing their chest. Look, listen, and feel for breath for five to ten seconds. If they are not breathing, give two-one second breaths while checking for the chest to rise.
4. After two breaths move to compressions.
5. Compressions are given in sets of 30 for every two breaths.
6. To give compressions put one hand atop the other and place them with the base of the bottommost palm between the nipples in the center of the person's chest.
7. Compressions are given with a downward thrust motion, keeping the arms straight.
8. Continue breaths and compressions until emergency personnel have arrived.