Canyon Creek Middle School Students Learn Life-Saving CPR

In addition to regular studies in reading, writing and math, Canyon Creek Middle Schools 7th and 8th grade students last week also learned how to help save a life with a lesson in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

The program was offered through Skamania County Emergency Medical Services (SCEMS) using a grant they received from the HeartRescue Community Program to provide all interested students with this vital education.

SCEMS Paramedic, Kaitlyn Hildenbrand led the training using American Heart Association (AHA) curriculum.  “The Family and Friends non-credentialed class teaches 'hands-only' CPR and gives an introduction to automated external defibrillators (AEDs),” she explained.  The course was taught in a fifty minute segment through a combination of instructor and video-based learning.

“I feel very passionate about this project,” Hildenbrand said.  “Through this training we are helping communities by helping them learn ways to help themselves.”

When asked how the students reacted to the training Hildenbrand said we are lucky to have schools filled with incredible students.  “They understood the seriousness of the issue but still had fun with it,” she said.  “The skills they learned can definitely help them to save a life.”

Last year Hildenbrand organized and taught this AHA program to the 7-12 graders in the Stevenson-Carson School District.  “My goal is to improve our communities and to save lives,” she said. “This has been an interest of mine and a pet project.  I want to take it just as far as it will go!”