FIRST AID CLASS GOES TO CVTC FOR CPR FINALS
Story from the Rome News-Tribune by Marc Dadigan – RN-T Staff Writer
Sycondia Watkins tipped the plastic infant’s chin upward, then gently breathed into its mouth every three seconds until its pulse was restored.
Although not a true emergency, it let Watkins prove she could handle a real one should it occur.
Watkins was among 21 Pepperell High students earning certificates in cardiopulmonary resuscitation while practicing on the mannequins at Coosa Valley Technical College on Friday.
"I have a lot of nephews and nieces that I baby-sat a lot," said the Pepperell junior. "I thought after this class I wouldn’t freak out if anything happened while I was watching them."
Friday culminated weeks of study in teacher Alana Ellenburg’s first-aid class. Because the school couldn’t afford the expensive mannequins, students said, they practiced chest compressions on the floor and rescue breathing on pictures they had drawn.
Coosa Valley Tech, involved in a partnership with the school, let students test on its mannequins Friday.
"It’s pretty cool – it’s not a normal experience," sophomore Matt Shoemaker said. "You realize it’s hard to do the breathing right and to push the chest just right when you work on the dummy."
Because CPR methods vary depending on age of victims, students worked on three sizes of mannequins: an adult, a child and an infant. They also earned certificates in the use of automatic external defibrillators in the first aid, Ellenburg said.
"I think it will really benefit the school to have this group of students who can be ready if anything happens," she said. "And also they might be able to help their parents or grandparents if there’s an emergency."
Jessica Tidwell, a junior, said she took the class to learn useful skills for her myriad baby-sitting assignments. "I thought it would be good to be able to tell parents I can do this if something does happen," she said.
As for the mannequins, the chests of which expand when breathed into, Tidwell said they were helpful.
"It’s kind of strange because they’re so stiff, but it really helps you a lot," she said.
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