Ten minutes. That’s how much time you have to save a life.
If someone you know — or maybe even a complete stranger — has a heart attack or an injury that stops their blood flow, those first ten minutes make all the difference. If proper CPR is started, the odds of a positive outcome are increased about 10-fold.
That’s why the Rotary Club of Linn County, the Lisbon-Mount Vernon Ambulance Service, and Cornell College are hosting a Community CPR Training Class on Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Thomas Commons Hall-Perrine Room, 810 Commons Circle, in Mount Vernon. The training by ambulance service professionals is free to residents of Mount Vernon and Lisbon, ages 16 and older, as a service to the communities. Enrollment is limited, so only early enrollees are guaranteed a spot. Go to the Rotary Club Website (rotarylc.org) and follow the links to CPR Training to enroll.
The class will start at 9 a.m. and conclude at noon. Multiple family members may enroll as long as space allows. An optional free Stop the Bleed Class will be held after lunch (on your own) from 1 to 3 p.m. for those interested in learning techniques to help a victim suffering from a severe bleeding wound.
Mason Hanson, paramedic for the Lisbo-Mount Vernon Ambulance Service, says that under the best of circumstances, it often takes longer than five minutes for paramedics to arrive at a scene where life-saving measures are needed. That’s why they want more community people trained in CPR and ready to act.
“The sooner CPR starts, the better the outcome,” says Hanson. “You never know when you might be called on.”
He points to a recent incident at an area sporting event where a man suddenly went into cardiac arrest. Two bystanders stepped in and began CPR until paramedics arrived, saving the man’s life.
The Community CPR training is free, but if you need Heartsaver certification from the American Heart Association, you will have to pay that fee ($25) on training day. Infant CPR and AED (defibrillator) training will be part of the class.
“One of the focal missions of our Rotary Club is making our communities safer and healthier for all residents,” says Michelle Bell, Rotary Club of Linn County president. “Getting more people trained in life-saving CPR skills is one way we can do that.
“Area businesses, churches, schools, senior citizen gathering places, government offices, or other places where people meet should have people trained in CPR,” adds Bell. “We’re very happy we can help make this happen.” She points out that this will be the 5th year the Rotary Club has facilitated free Community CPR classes, after a one-year pause for Covid reasons. The previous classes in Mount Vernon trained a total of 120 people in life-saving CPR skills.
Enough CPR training mannequins and trainers will be available for a class size of 40 people. Early pre-registration will help you get a spot.
About the Lisbon-Mount Vernon Ambulance Service: The Lisbon-Mt. Vernon Ambulance Service is a hybrid paid on-call ambulance serving the Mt. Vernon and Lisbon communities as well as the surrounding areas. The service is made up of one full time EMS director and 35 on-call paramedics, AEMTs, EMTs, and drivers who respond 24/7 to emergencies in the region. To learn more, visit lmvas.org.
About the Rotary Club of Linn County: The Rotary Club of Linn County is a service organization made up of neighbors, friends, and community leaders who have a common interest in creating positive, lasting change in our communities and around the world. To learn more, visit rotarylc.org.