Sidewalk CPR: Murrieta Fire Department Hosts Instruction

Sidewalk sale? Sidewalk sundae? Sidewalk CPR? Well, I know you’ve seen cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) practiced on a manikin. Better yet, I know that on a television show or two, you’ve seen a frantic rescuer kneeling aside a lifeless victim administering CPR.  Of course, if you’re in the health care profession, you’re not only certified by either the Red Cross or the American Heart Association, you’ve done CPR many times.

If you’ve never had occasion to administer CPR (a good thing), the Murrieta Fire Department hosted a Sidewalk CPR class, Thursday, June 7, in which the fundamental, chest compressions were taught: Hands-Only CPR. Wait! What about the rescue breathing component? That portion of CPR was intentionally omitted. The American Heart Association encourages bystanders to DO SOMETHING to directly help the victim in cardiac arrest, as time is of the essence. 

Since folks may feel a little squeamish about rendering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, that leaves two alternatives on the heels of calling 911: Disregard the rescue, all together or just do the chest compressions until help arrives. This, my friends, warrants reading any one of the plethora of articles on the topic, available at your fingertips these days.

Back at FS-2, Murray Manikin and all of his relatives were positioned in a linear, CPR formation at 0900 hours. Fire Chief Matt Shobert, EMS Coordinator Art Durbin, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Dan Wilson and MFD Explorers were poised to serve the community in CPR instruction – chest compressions –conducting individual, 15-minute sessions all to the beat of the tune, "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees.

“It’s so simple, it’s almost counter-intuitive, given that CPR classes generally last about four hours. Murrieta is a really caring, cohesive community. It’s my thought that if someone collapses in Murrieta, I know like I know any one of our citizens would intervene, rising to the challenge,” said Shobert. “We also offer CPR and first aid classes for certification,” he said.

Rise to the challenge, they did. As a steady stream of participants checked in with Durbin, they were escorted to a manikin where they immediately practiced chest compressions, under the tutelage of an instructor.

“I take great pride in giving these folks a certificate of participation,” said Durbin, signing his name on the dotted line of each. “I’m pleased with the turnout of community members who took us up on the invitation to learn,” he said.

Taking up the hospitality of the Murrieta Fire Department always proves to be refreshing, as ice cold water and energy drinks topped off the instruction.

CPR classes are offered on the first Saturday of every month at FS-4 located at 28155 Baxter Road (directly across the street from Loma Linda Hospital). For more information, call the Murrieta Parks and Recreation Department: 951-304-7275 or you can register online: www.murrieta.org