CPR Can Save Lives

Post date: Oct 11, 2015 12:20:28 AM

On Tuesday, May 12, 2015, our entire Tysons Corner office attended CPR training through the American Red Cross. Our instructor was so patient with us. We are a pretty lively crowd, so of course we peppered with her with questions throughout the entire day.

When I watch people do CPR on TV medical dramas, it looks easy, but in real life, it takes lots of effort to correctly complete the dummy's chest compressions. I could imagine that it is immensely harder to perform such life-saving tasks in a real emergency. How do our first-line responders do this on an every day basis? Their work is to be applauded.

We also learned the Heimlich Maneuver. (Oh, my. I kept wondering why this that phrase wasn't getting highlighted on my spell checker, and it turns out I spelled it correctly on my first try! National Spelling Bee, here I come!) Later in August, I read an article about how the Mayor of Dallas (where I'm from) saved a woman's life when she was joking on food. Great job, Mayor!

As I write this delayed blog in October, it's soon after the unexpected passing of our Regional Director Richard Habib from a heart attack. This drives home the importance of learning ... and applying ... CPR and other life-saving techniques. Even being aware of your environment and calling 911 at the first sign of emergency is a heroic action! - jw