For More Information contact:
Mary Lou Thoune
Staff Development Coordinator
715-735-4200, ext. 3270
mthoune@bamc.org

(Marinette, Wis.) – Would you know what to do in a cardiac emergency? During the month of April, Bay Area Medical Center is teaching community members to know how to respond by offering a free cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) class. The class is being offered through a partnership with the American Heart Association.

The class takes place on April 28 at the Marinette High School Gym, 2135 Pierce Avenue in Marinette, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Residents interested in participating can call 715-735-8000 to register.

Cardiovascular disease is the nation’s leading killer and many deaths—about 250,000 per year—occur suddenly and without warning due to sudden cardiac arrest. A victim of sudden cardiac arrest is likely to die within minutes if CPR and defibrillation do not occur. CPR can add critical minutes to a sudden cardiac arrest victim’s life by pumping blood and oxygen to vital organs such as the heart, brain and lungs. The majority of all sudden cardiac arrests occur at home (75-80 percent) and only about 5 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims survive. The signs of sudden cardiac arrest include an abrupt loss of consciousness, collapse and the loss of normal breathing.

“When performed effectively, CPR doubles the chance of survival. Taking a CPR class is a great opportunity for residents to learn a skill that may save the life of a friend or family member,” said Mary Lou Thoune, staff development coordinator at BAMC. “CPR is a vital, life-saving skill that everyone needs to know, and when your spouse, parent or child’s life is on the line, the training allows you to overcome your fear and act quickly and confidently.”

Instructors will train participants using the American Heart Association’s Family and Friends course. This is a community CPR course and does not meet CPR certification requirements of employment or required professional credentials. However, the state Good Samaritan law protects all laypersons trained in CPR. The course lasts about 3 hours and is based on the American Heart Association’s longstanding guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care.