Learn CPR This Weekend: Essential Training for Columbia County Families!

650 Ronald Reagan Drive, Columbia County, USA - This week marks CPR and AED Awareness Week, a crucial time for all families, particularly as schools close for the summer and children spend more time away from trained educators and coaches. In Columbia County, the importance of this training cannot be stressed enough, as the American Heart Association emphasizes the vital role parents can play in emergency situations. An excellent opportunity arises this weekend with Columbia County Fire Rescue hosting an intensive CPR and first aid training session.

The comprehensive training, happening from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Columbia County Emergency Management Agency, is designed to equip participants with essential skills. Attendees will cover first aid basics along with handling medical and injury emergencies, environmental crises, and adult CPR and AED use. For just $25, participants can receive a CPR certification card, which is valid for two years and allows them to perform CPR officially. However, attendance is free for those who wish to learn without certification.

Why CPR Training Matters

With around 356,000 Americans facing sudden cardiac arrest every year—often including seemingly healthy individuals—learning CPR is more important than ever. In fact, the survival rate for heart-related emergencies is alarmingly low; only 1 in 20 victims will survive without immediate assistance. CPR training not only enhances the chances of saving a life but also prepares individuals to assist until first responders arrive. Given that four out of five cardiac arrests happen at home, being prepared at home is vital. CPR combines rescue breathing and chest compressions to restore a heartbeat and can significantly increase the chances of surviving strokes, heart events, and accidents, according to Columbia CPR Classes.

The training offered by Columbia County Fire Rescue isn’t just a summer activity. An additional CPR and first aid session is planned for September 13, but for those looking to specialize in CPR alone, the Fire Rescue will host a series of CPR-only classes throughout the year. These will take place on June 26, July 21, August 20, September 24, October 14, November 13, and December 8. Former Battalion Chief Robert Rosier will lead these sessions, ensuring that each participant gets hands-on experience and personal attention within smaller class sizes, as noted by Columbia CPR.

Who Benefits from CPR Certification?

Having CPR certification can open doors in various professions and assures employers of your readiness to respond in emergencies. The certification is accepted across many sectors, including healthcare, personal training, education, hospitality, and firefighting, among others. The necessity for CPR training and certification extends beyond just professional factors–it enriches one’s capability to help in critical moments, especially when you might be called upon to save someone you know.

Remember, CPR certifications need to be renewed every two years, but with the abundance of courses available weekly, fitting this crucial training into your schedule should be quite manageable. The American Safety Training Institute also offers a variety of certification courses, blending online, on-site, and hybrid training options to suit different learning preferences.

As summer approaches, let’s commit to enhancing our emergency preparedness. Whether you’re a parent wanting to protect your family, a caretaker, or someone keen on being a proactive member of your community, consider signing up for this life-saving training this weekend. After all, there’s something to be said for knowing that you could make a difference in someone’s life at a critical moment.

For more information on the weekend’s training, check out WRDW, or explore additional CPR courses with Columbia CPR Classes and the American Safety Training Institute at American STI.