CPR course turns RRC staff into lifesavers
CONNOR WIELGOSZ /CONTRIBUTOR
Kyle Geske stands by an AED at Red River College on Oct. 20. He said the CPR training he received through RRC once helped save his daughter’s life.
THE PROJECTOR/Connor Wielgosz
When Kyle Geske’s one-year-old daughter was choking, his CPR training saved her.
“It wasn’t anything too traumatic,” he said, “but it was the confidence, knowing how to do it correctly that helped. And not freezing up in the moment and panicking.”
The accounting and computer education instructor received CPR training in May through St. John Ambulance. The training was part of one of three free Emergency First Aid with CPR courses RRC offers its staff members every year.
“I thought it would be something that would be good to have,” he said. “I’m also a dad. I have two little girls, a four-year-old and a one-year-old.”
Over 30 RRC faculty members have CPR training and their responsibilities extend beyond chest compressions.
“The big thing is knowing when to take control of the situation,” said Jody Gillis, another instructor who took the course at the same time as Geske. “Usually there’s more than one responsibility to be done, so you have to delegate.”
INFOGRAPHIC BY VANESSA OGIBOWSKI
Alongside faculty members who have taken the course, all RRC security staff have first aid training.
“They’re trying to build an army of first aiders at the college,” Gillis said.
But even though CPR saves lives, Geske said it’s more violent than it’s portrayed on television.
“In real life, you break ribs. It’s veryforceful,” he said.
The solution may be Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs). When combined with CPR, the two can increase survival rate by up to 75 per cent, and Gillis said AEDs are easy to use.
“They actually speak the instructions,” she said. “They talk to you, they tell you exactly what to do.”
There are 14 AEDs throughout RRC and Gillis said anyone can use them.
But that doesn’t mean CPR isn’t necessary. CPR and AEDs should be used in conjunction, which is part of why the course is offered to staff.
“I feel like it’s almost a duty of employees, of citizens as a whole,” Gillis said. “Especially when it’s offered for free at the school.”
And for those without training, Geske points out the St. John Ambulance first aid app.
“Everyone should put this app on their phone, even if they don’t have the training,” he said. “It walks you through it all.”
To the point
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
When someone goes into cardiac arrest, you can use an AED while you wait for paramedics.
Where to find AEDs on campus
Notre Dame Campus (6)
Building A – First Floor, East Entrance on North Side, near A137
Building J – First Floor Hallway, Across J105
Building G – in North Gym at Mall Entrance
Building Z – Z110
Outside Health Centre – HM08
Building C – C115 – Security (not approved for public use)
Roblin Centre (2)
Health Centre – P105
P4 Hallway near elevator & P411 Entrance
Paterson GlobalFoods Institute (3)
First Floor at Security Desk
Third Floor outside of the Health Centre
Seventh Floor elevator lobby
Stevenson Campus – Winnipeg (2)
First Floor, Shop Area
Second Floor
Stevenson Campus – Southport (1)
Hangar – Tool Room
Information from blogs.rrc.ca
