Engineering and Life Science Academy students at HHS North learned hands-on how to save a life recently, thanks to an elective CPR course they took online and in the classroom that was taught by Holyoke YMCA staff.
Participating students say the course gave them the knowledge—and the confidence—to perform chest compressions and rescue breaths to support someone whose breathing or heartbeat has stopped while waiting for advanced medical help to arrive.
Tenth-graders Amaryllis Martinez and Justyce Miller agreed they feel much better prepared to assist in an emergency, thanks to the course.
“I learned a lot,” Amaryllis said. “I feel like I would be able to actually assess somebody in an emergency. I think it is important just in case there's an emergency.”
The course covered CPR techniques for adults, children, and infants, as well as choking relief and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to help someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
“As part of the Engineering and Life Science Academy, we wanted to give our students something practical that they could learn to do to help support their interest in health careers,” said science teacher Kate Telman. “We had the YMCA come in and do some online training and then test practical skills for CPR for infants, children, and adults.”
The program hooked students’ interest, she said. “They were taking notes, they made flashcards, and they quizzed each other to make sure they understood the facts they needed to understand.”
It all came together as students kneeled in front of their CPR dummies to practice what they’d already covered and to gain more confidence and skills through the experience.
“It was amazing,” Justyce said. “Now I can assist people in emergencies.”