Yoder promotes CPR/AED training for local companies
Kyle Yoder, EMT with Holmes Fire District #1, recently presented a training session for area businesses at Der Dutchman Restaurant to teach the lifesaving skill of CPR and to convey the importance of having an AED available at the workplace.
Basic life support.
BLS.
What was commonly referred to as cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR now may have a new moniker, but it remains the same lifesaving technique that has brought many people back from the precipice of passing away, giving them a second chance at life.
On Thursday, March 13 at Der Dutchman Restaurant, representation from many area businesses showed up to hear Kyle Yoder, an EMT with Holmes Fire District #1, give a presentation on both BLS and the importance of having an Automated External Defibrillator present in the workplace and at home.
Yoder began his session by sharing a story of a local company that utilized an AED and BLS efforts to save a life.
Had qualified people and the equipment not been available, that person would have passed away.
Yoder said when a situation occurs where someone’s heart stops beating, time is of the essence, noting if CPR tactics don’t take place within the first four to six minutes, that person’s chances of survival are near zero.
“It’s extremely important to have both people trained in CPR and an easily located AED at every business,” Yoder said. “They aren’t cheap, but the alternative is catastrophic.”
Yoder walked those in attendance through the process of providing BLS/CPR, giving many details that accompany the effort.
Yoder said prior to administering BLS, one should make sure the person is unresponsive and check for a pulse and breathing activity.
If none is found, action must be taken immediately.
He also said the CPR process has changed drastically over the years, moving away from mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and to more rapid heart compressions.
“It used to always be ABC — airway, breathing, circulation — but now they recommend CAB because studies have been done that most people don’t like to administer mouth-to-mouth, and thus doing quick compressions repeatedly without stopping is advised.”
He said studies have shown people have 10 minutes of oxygen in their blood, and rapid compressions can help circulate that oxygen until paramedics can arrive. Chest compressions need to take place between 100-120 times per minute, and Yoder said it is an exhausting experience for those delivering the CPR.
“Hopefully, there will be other people there to jump in and help,” Yoder said, “because you will get tired very quickly.”
Chest compressions immediately follow checking for vital signs, followed by urging someone to call 9-1-1 immediately.
He then talked about the AEDs. While chest compressions help the continual circulation of blood, the AED is what actually shocks the heart back into action.
AEDs are designed to help walk anyone through the process of utilizing it on a victim.
Terry Everett, part of the safety committee for Mulwoods near Millersburg, said they have had an AED for about three years. He said an incident spurred the company ownership team to invest in an AED.
“We had the committee before, but ownership really thought it was important to invest in an AED,” Everett said.
Grant Downes, industrial safety consultant specialist with Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, said his organization presents monthly safety seminars like this throughout the state.
Downes said by having employees attend training sessions throughout the year, businesses can earn rebates on workers’ compensation policies.
He said the sessions include safety topics on ladder safety, fire protection, leadership culture and more, all designed to benefit companies that wish to earn the rebates and promote safety in any way possible.
“The hope is that this is all valuable information they can take back to their company,” Downes said.
He said all the safety council sessions take place at Der Dutchman monthly, and they must attend at least 10 of the 12 monthly annual sessions to qualify for the rebates. Anyone wishing to participate may email him at grant.d.2@bwc.ohio.gov.
Anyone wishing to learn more about CPR or become a certified basic life support provider may call Yoder at Holmes Fire District #1 at 330-674-1926. According to Yoder, the certification training session takes around two hours and includes basic training and a video.
The station and its EMT trainers are available to come to functions for companies, schools and organizations.