Record 154 students attend joint CPR training class | News | Berkeley Independent

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Record 154 students attend joint CPR training class

Published Monday, February 13, 2012 10:34 PM

By Dan Brown
Berkeley Independent

Photo by: Provided

More than 150 area residents took part in the recent community CPR class jointly sponsored by Moncks Corner Medical Center and Berkeley County EMS.

A CPR class jointly sponsored by Berkeley County EMS and Moncks Corner Medical Center drew an unprecedented 154 participants on Jan. 28.

Many on hand at the first of what could be a series of CPR training classes cited Gene Cribb’s heart attack suffered during an Aug. 28, 2010 Berkeley Stags football game as motivation to learn CPR.

“We had to close off the class at 150 students,” said Chris Esdorn of Berkeley County EMS. “The response was overwhelming. We hope to host more classes of this type in the future.”

Moncks Corner Medical Center Director Ann Edlund was encouraged by the public response.

“It has shown us our desire to reach out to the community is much needed, as well as wanted,” she said. “Therefore, we will be offering more classes in the very near future to help reach our goal of educating as many people as we can, giving individuals the confidence that they can help someone in need.”

Participants from as far away as Hanahan, Jamestown and St. Stephen made the drive on Jan. 28 for the two-hour class.

“Offering CPR training was a need we wanted to take to the community, offering education to help extend the lifespan of individuals that might not have been saved,” said MCMC Nurse Manager Charmayne Williams. “If you aren’t a first responder, few people understand the implications CPR can have on a life. The first 10 minutes are the most important during a medical emergency, especially in the case of cardiac arrest (heart attack).

“Implementing effective CPR can more than double the chance of survival victims.”

George Moseley of Summerville came to support his wife who wanted to take the class. “I’m here because she’s here so I want to help take part,” he said.

Khronte Casson, 12, of St. Stephen, came with his family. “I want to know how to help others during an emergency,” he said.

Edlund said that performing proper CPR isn’t as easy as it looks.

“Even though someone may see CPR performed and think that it looks easy and that they can do it without the education, there is a little more to it than just thinking you can do it,” she said. “Offering the training to the community is a way to help spread the education of the different resuscitation methods for adults, children, and toddlers.”

According to statistics 85 percent of heart damage occurs within the first two hours of a heart attack. EHAC (Early Heart Attack Care) recognizes the subtle danger signs of a heart attack and acting upon them immediately.

“Having the knowledge of what to do will help increase the likelihood that CPR will be initiated and performed effectively,” Williams said. “If we could give one reason why we offered this opportunity that would be to provide education and placing our community in a position to save a life.”

“CPR isn’t difficult and it doesn’t take a long time to learn, however the importance outweighs the time spent,” Edlund added. “After all, when it comes to saving a life, every second counts.”

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