Montreal Gazette

In half an hour you can learn how to save a life

Condensed session covers the basics of CPR, defibrilla­tion and anti-choking

- KATHRYN GREENAWAY kgreenaway@postmedia.com

When paramedic Kelly Dashney speaks, people listen. Dashney saves lives for a living. She’s worked with the medical team staffing NASCAR and Formula One events. She’s resuscitat­ed patients in cardiac arrest in the ambulance. She also teaches at John Abbott College and she instructs everyday citizens on basic life-saving techniques. This week Dashney came to the Beaconsfie­ld Recreation Centre to give a Hero in 30 workshop. The fluently bilingual instructor will give two more workshops, Feb. 27 — at 7 p.m. in English and 7:45 p.m. in French. The Hero in 30 workshop is divided into three 10-minute sections — cardiopulm­onary resuscitat­ion CPR, automated external defibrilla­tor AED and abdominal thrusts, commonly called the Heimlich manoeuvre. That’s a lot of territory to cover in 30 minutes, but the eight participan­ts attending the Monday session agreed that they felt more secure about what to do in a crisis, following the workshop. Off the top, they learned the speed and strength necessary to execute efficient CPR chest compressio­ns. Then they practised on four dummy torsos lined up on the floor. Dashney walked them through each step. Is the person unconsciou­s? How can you tell? Is the person breathing ? When should you start chest compressio­ns? When should you call 911? Performing CPR keeps oxygen flowing to the brain. In a state of cardiac arrest, a person has a reserve of between four and six minutes of oxygen in the blood. After that, without chest compressio­ns, the brain becomes starved for oxy- gen and deteriorat­ion begins. “Thirty minutes isn’t a long time, but it’s better than no minutes of training at all,” Dashney said following the workshop. “The course is a confidence builder. A participan­t learns what to do and, more importantl­y, what not to do.” One no-no? Pounding someone on the back when they are choking. Dashney said that most 911 calls for choking are received between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on weekdays — during lunch break. Workshop participan­t Beverley Shaver, 78, knows first hand the panic triggered by choking. She choked at the dinner table awhile back. Luckily her daughter, who is a nurse, came to her aid. To learn the Heimlich manoeuvre, participan­ts practised positionin­g their legs in a forward lunge position, while making a fist with one hand and pushing in and scooping up in a forceful “J” movement, just above the belly button. Shaver attended the Hero in 30 session with her 91-year-old husband, Marvin Shaver. She had been asked about her husband’s level of mobility before signing up for the course, but there was no need for concern. After two hip replacemen­ts, he was still able to get down on his knees and perform to two extended sets of chest compressio­ns. Beverley Shaver said it was important for both to attend because, “life is very precious.” Compressio­ns need to be forceful and frequent — a minimum of 30 compressio­ns per minute. One trick often used to get the rhythm down pat is to sing the Bee Gees song Stayin’ Alive while executing compressio­ns. “I’d heard about CPR and seen it done on television and in films, but I’d never tried it,” Marvin Shaver said. “I hope I never have to use it.” “I feel more comfortabl­e now,” Beverley Shaver said about her husband’s level of skill following the workshop. “Maybe he’ll be able to save me.” There are more detailed CPR courses available — anywhere from fours hours to two days if first-aid training is included — and Dashney recommends people take at least the next level of training which would involve learning how to use a pocket mask to deliver breaths. Only chest compressio­ns are taught during the Hero in 30 sessions. “It used to be so complicate­d,” Dashney said of the public CPR workshops. “But with research, the guidelines have changed and that’s good. There was a time when defibrilla­tor training was only for doctors. Now, anybody can learn how to (use the portable machine).” Public buildings, swimming pools, daycares, fitness centres most often have an AED machine on site. Once the “On” button is pushed, the machine talks you through the steps to take. Workshop participan­ts learn how to place the defibrilla­tor pads on someone’s chest and activate the machine. The Hero in 30 workshops cost $10 and are at the Beaconsfie­ld Recreation Centre, 1974 City Lane. To register, call 514-428-4520.

The course is a confidence builder. A participan­t learns what to do and, more importantl­y, what not to do.

 ?? PHOTOS: GRAHAM HUGHES ?? Beverley Shaver, left, and husband Marvin Shaver, centre, learn CPR at the Beaconsfie­ld Recreation Centre on Monday. Two more Hero in 30 workshops are scheduled for this month.
PHOTOS: GRAHAM HUGHES Beverley Shaver, left, and husband Marvin Shaver, centre, learn CPR at the Beaconsfie­ld Recreation Centre on Monday. Two more Hero in 30 workshops are scheduled for this month.
 ??  ?? Instructor Kelly Dashney, who teaches life-saving techniques to everyday citizens, demonstrat­es rapid chest compressio­ns on a dummy.
Instructor Kelly Dashney, who teaches life-saving techniques to everyday citizens, demonstrat­es rapid chest compressio­ns on a dummy.

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