Multiple Missouri fire departments helping people learn CPR
NORTH KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Dozens of fire departments, organizations and hospitals across Missouri took the extra step to help people get trained in CPR.
It's part of the inaugural MO Cares CPR Day of Service, dedicated to teaching and learning the lifesaving act of CPR.
Children's Mercy saw about a dozen people stop by to learn hands free CPR.
At Chicken and Pickle in North Kansas City, people dropped the pickle ball paddles to learn about compressions.
"We're going to push hard and fast," NKC Firefighter Nick Anello said.
Anello said this training is vital.
First, point out someone out to call 911. Then, he said, someone needs to start pushing hard and fast on the person's heart.
To stay on beat, Anello said you can hum a tune.
"There's some songs," Anello said, "The big one is 'Stayin' Alive."'
He also said you can ask Google to play a video of a metronome for 120 beats.
"Every minute that CPR's not getting done when we're responding, survival goes down 10 percent," Anello said.
Paul Andrade has grandchildren. He said that's why his family stopped by the NKC Fire tent.
Andrade said he took a CPR certification class in high school and wanted a refresher course.
The American Red Cross said certification lasts two years.
"It just refreshed my memory on how to do it," Andrade said, "and I feel comfortable that I could show someone how to do it."
MO Cares said 33 different sites across the state took part in the initiative.
Central Jackson County Fire Protection District also taught classes on Wednesday. NKC Fire traveled to four locations across their city.
They said only 13% of women in Missouri receive bystander CPR training during cardiac arrest events.
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"If we can save one life in our community or surrounding communities, it's worth it," Anello said.
If you're interested in becoming CPR certified, you can find a class near you through the American Heart Association American Red Cross .
