The class lasted no longer than 15 minutes, but according to American Red Cross instructor Mary Nelon, teaching hands-only CPR to members of the public creates a safer community.
“Anyone can do this, and knowing compression-only CPR can save lives,” Nelon says. “This is why we do what we do.”
Compression-only CPR does not require any mouth-to-mouth contact. Oftentimes this thought of mouth-to-mouth contact deters people from stepping in during life-saving situations, explains Asheville’s American Red Cross director, Amanda Edwards.
“People worry about the germs and the health of the person who needs help, whether they will get sick, too,” Edwards says. However, Edwards emphasizes that this is where hands-only CPR can prove invaluable. Statistics indicate that every minute of CPR increases survival chances by 10 percent.
For Nelon, who has done work at Mission Hospital, learning this skill empowers bystanders.
“Anybody can do this. Family members can do this. Kids can do this,” she says, adding, “For family members to be in a situation but not know what to do, I can’t imagine what that would feel like. This gives them the tools to make a difference,” she says.
The “CPR Saturday” event was sponsored by Mission Health and the American Red Cross.
An instructional video about hands-only CPR from the American Red Cross can be found below:
Photos were taken at the 10 a.m. class at the American Red Cross at 100 Edgewood Road, Asheville, N.C. by Xpress reporter Caitlin Byrd:
The classes began in Asheville at 9 a.m. For the 10 a.m. class, two women showed up to learn about hands-only CPR.
These mini Red Cross ambulances are made of a material meant to mimic the feel of a human chest when receiving CPR.
Class participants Cindi Probst and Karen Mattison listen as Red Cross instructor Mary Nelon talks about chest compressions.
Nelon talks about why knowing hands-only CPR can save lives.
Nelon demonstrates the way hands should be when giving chest compressions.
Mattison practices chest compressions.
Nelon takes questions from Mattison and Probst at the end of the class.
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