“Safety is important. CPR truly saves lives” were the words emphasized by Jacqueline Greenidge-Payne, training officer, at the V.I. Department of Health’s Office of EMS to the participants of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. (AKA) — local chapter Mu Gamma Omega — to the CPR Certification Training Class held on Saturday, Feb. 29.
Greenidge-Payne showed American Heart Association’s CPR video presentations and had the participants demonstrate by performing heart compressions on mannequins.
The class learned about scene safety, recognition of cardiac arrest, activation of emergency response system, compression-ventilation ratio, compression rate, compression depth, hand placement and chest recoil. The class also received Heartsaver CPR AED and First Aid training.
According to the American Heart Association, “Life is Why” is a celebration of life. “During this heart month, we must continue to spread the importance of obtaining CPR skills as it is a critical step in a chance of survival. Immediate CPR can double or triple chances of survival after cardiac arrest,” said Lisa Mitchell-Harris, the sorority’s vice president, who is also chairman of the chapter’s programs committee.
Under the leadership of President Tresa M. Civil and Vice President Mitchell-Harris, Mu Gamma Omega chapter, in partnership with the American Heart Association, promoted heart health awareness during the month of February by conducting various activities and events that focus on heart disease and stroke.
