If you were a student at PVJH during your seventh grade year, you were required to learn CPR by the health teachers. Professionals, including doctors, nurses, and medics, all have to be recertified on their CPR training every two years. For many students in high school, training was up to five years ago, making it difficult to recall all the steps required to perform CPR correctly. It is vital for students, teachers, athletes, and citizens to know CPR in case of an emergency.
In light of Damar Hamlin’s recent cardiac arrest while playing the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2, personal trainer, Denny Kellington, performed CPR on Hamlin after he collapsed on the field. The entire football community was shaken by the thought that Hamlim’s heart had stopped on the field. But, because of his swift actions, Hamlin survived the incident. Kellington’s actions demonstrate the importance of knowing CPR.
Knowing CPR is essential not only in the NFL, but in every level of sports. After Hamlin’s cardiac arrest, Twitter users claimed COVID-19 vaccine was the reason for his cardiac arrest. They pushed the theory that the vaccine is causing heart attacks, citing the spike in cardiac arrests since the vaccine was released. Although this brings up a controversial topic that should be addressed, the focus needs to shift onto preparedness for a cardiac arrest.
CPR training is not mutually exclusive to sports; it is crucial in everyday life. While enjoying her lunch at a park with her husband in May of 2010, Jenni Hanson, a nurse, observed a woman collapse and become unresponsive. “I told my husband to call 911 and started chest compressions with rescue breaths,” she recalled. “After several minutes, the fire department and EMS arrived. They were able to get her pulse back while on the way to the ER; she recovered.”
Because of her prior CPR training, Hanson was able to provide medical assistance for this woman, eventually saving her life. She continued, “Having a bystander trained to act in a scary situation literally can make all the difference to a person and a family.” Through her actions and training, Hanson demonstrated the need for regular CPR training.
Senior Sam Brown is taking action to help combat a health crisis that can be avoided with proper training, “I think that it [CPR training] is an essential skill that is invaluable in everyday life.” Brown is planning on taking a CPR class in order to get officially certified. “As a citizen, I feel that it is my responsibility to learn life saving skills in case of an emergency.”
Kellington is a trained professional; he needs to be certified in order to meet his job requirements. Hanson was a bystander eating lunch. Brown is taking steps to become certified. All three of these people have completely different backgrounds and experiences, but they all have or are actively practicing life saving measures.
As students, friends, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, bystanders and teammates, we hold a responsibility to one another to become trained in CPR.
Watching a YouTube video where a medical professional properly demonstrates the procedure is an easily accessible option. In addition, if you would like to take your certification to the next level, the American Red Cross offers CPR classes. The American Heart Association also offers classes at a local Everyday Heros center.
But, I’ve got you here now.
- Check for unresponsiveness, breathing
- Designate someone to call 911 and someone else to get the AED
- Ensure person is on a flat surface
- 30 chest compressions (2 inches deep, 100 bpm)
- 2 breaths (lift chin to open airway)
- Repeat until AED is available
One of the most impactful things you can do in your life is learn CPR—especially if you save someone’s life.
