Get Certified in CPR/AED and First Aid at Ackerman SFC

While a medical professional is the best option for a person in need, it's often the Good Samaritans and other first responders who help keep a patient stable until professional help arrives. The Glen Ellyn Park District is offering fall classes for ages 15 and up that will teach CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), how and when to use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) device, and general First Aid. Skills learned will help attendees know how to handle the situation if a person near them is having a heart attack, or if the person is the victim of a bone fracture, a burn, or other medical emergency.

The benefits of getting certified, or re-certified, in CPR/AED and First Aid are plentiful. "This one-day class teaches skills that can be used on adults and children," explained Chad Shingler, Aquatic and Facility Supervisor at the Glen Ellyn Park District. "It's beneficial to know lifesaving and first aid skills, since you never know where or when you would need to use them or how you can help someone in need. This class would be helpful for anyone, but is especially wonderful for people working in the healthcare field or anyone working with children, including teenage babysitters."

The course also offers practice techniques so that people can perform the skills with confidence should they ever be needed. "Everyone should know basic First Aid and CPR," added Shingler. "They are skills that can save a life."

Sudden cardiac arrest claims the lives of about 400,000 people annually. Performing CPR helps preserve brain function during cardiac arrest by keeping the blood flowing and keeping the person alive. According to the American Heart Association, 80% of cardiac arrests happen at home. For every minute that passes without CPR, the patient's chance of survival decreases by about 8%. Being certified in CPR can help you save your loved one. In other injury-related cases, a person may need immediate first aid to prevent blood loss until an emergency medical team arrives.

The Glen Ellyn Park District's fall CPR/AED and First Aid Certification classes will be held at the Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center. A written test is required in order to pass the course and become certified. Classes will be held from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 14th; Saturday, October 19th; Saturday, November 9th; Tuesday, November 19th; and Saturday, December 14th. The cost of the course is $20 for residents and $25 for nonresidents.

For more information, please contact Chad Shingler at cshingler@gepark.org or call (630) 317-0137.

For more information about the Glen Ellyn Park District, visit www.gepark.org.