By Anastasia, Benstead, Assistant Editor-in-Chief
For the third year in a row the Pre-Health Club hosted a CPR certification course for interested Aquinas students on Thursday, Nov. 6.
The class was a four hour certification in both cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification through the American Heart Association.The sixteen participants focused on infant and adult CPR and AED training, as well as standard first aid practices, including abdominal thrusts for the same age groups to prevent choking.
Attendees smile after a rigorous 4 hour certification program – Photo by Natalia Hay
“CPR certification will benefit my ability to help others in emergency situations and possibly save a life,” Anika Bourassa, biology major and attendee, said. “I think everybody should take CPR or first aid class, it’s very useful.”
According to the American Heart Association a majority of cardiac arrests, the leading cause of death in the United States, occur in the home or residence. CPR, especially if started immediately, can “double or triple” the likelihood of surviving an “out of hospital arrest.”
The Pre-Health Club was pleased with the turnout, especially given past attendance. “This year’s turnout was a lot better compared to other years,” student organizer Natalia Hay said. “As the pre-health club recently was restarted, our turnout to events has been slowly improving with every event.”
While the training is technically only for basic life saving skills and procedures, it was still intensive. Students were placed into pairs and ran through active scenarios practicing adult and infant CPR on training mannequins. Other taught skills were how to use an EpiPen in which participants practiced with a fake pen, learning how to handle an overdose situation and how to apply a tourniquet.
Hands on experience – Photo by Grace Palazzolo
“I enjoyed the step by step process throughout the course,” health science major Stephanie Moreno said, referencing the detailed step-by-step videos in the American Heart Association curriculum.
The next event hosted by the Pre-Health Club will be an opportunity to meet with GVSU’s physician’s assistant admissions board. This event will take place on Nov. 20 at 7:00 p.m.
The Saint 