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CONTACT THE ENTERPRISE Jocelyn Robinson, News editor jrobinson@heraldnet.com

CPR training saves lives

By Melanie Granfors
For the Enterprise

Picture yourself in this situation: You are dashing to your car after a parent conference at school. You glance over at the track and notice some teenage students scattered around. Some are running, some are just talking - and one is at the far end of the field - collapsed. You immediately switch to rescue mode, remember your most recent First Aid class - and run to the scene.

That is exactly what an off-duty Shoreline firefighter/paramedic recently encountered in his hometown of Marysville.

At that instant, he was not a well equipped, on-duty paramedic. He was just a citizen, and a father - and he knew what to do at this terrifying moment.

He assessed the patient for breathing and circulation - found none, and began CPR with breaths and chest compressions. He was able to summon help in calling 9-1-1. In the five minutes it took fire crews to get to the scene, citizen Nathan Downeyhad saved a 15 year old boy's life.

He did it with good CPR and with one lucky break. The school owned an AED (automated external defibrillator) and someone rushed it out to Downey's side. With the AED, he could determine that a series of electric shocks would revive him. Like any citizen trained to use it, Downey put on the pads, and hit the "shock" button when the machine called for it.

Many public schools have AEDs. So do airports, malls, gyms, recreation centers, airliners, casinos and other places where the public gathers. And for certain types of cardiac arrest, electricity is what is needed most - and fast.

Citizens should know when and how to do CPR and how to use the AED - very simple steps that are taught in public classes at fire departments, hospitals and agencies like the Red Cross.

Paramedic Downey says he only did what he hopes others would do - remember their training and put it to use quickly and confidently.

Shoreline Fire teaches CPR and AED to the public every first Saturday of the month from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Training Center and Headquarters. Call 206-533-3500 to register. Classes for groups of 10 or more can be scheduled. Fee for all CPR classes is $15.00.