Give the gift of life this holiday season by learning CPR at Mount Desert Island Hospital’s free holiday Heartsaver CPR/AED certification course on Dec. 11, 2012.
The hospital’s education department is offering the American Heart Association certification course to the community with volunteer instructors from Bar Harbor Fire Department, MDI High School, National Park Service, and Mount Desert Elementary School. The course will be taught at Atlantic Oceanside Conference Center and is available to the first 30 people to register.
“We know everyone is busy during the holiday season, but what better gift can be given that that of saving a life,” said Jeff Boal, MDI Hospital’s director of education. “Time is crucial in helping folks in cardiac distress,” he said. “When there are more folks with these skills in the community, the better the chances of having someone around when it really matters.” According to the American Heart Association, sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in the nation. Immediate, effective CPR can more than double a victim’s chance of survival.
The three-hour course is being offered at Atlantic Oceanside on Tuesday, Dec. 11 from 6-9 pm. It will teach students the proper technique for administering CPR and the proper use of an automated external defibrillator. The course is open to anyone over the age of 16 and is ideal for those whose employment requires certification or for anyone who wants to have the skills they need if they are ever called upon to save a life.
This course is limited to 30 participants and pre-registration is required. Contact MDI Hospital’s Meredith Donovan at 288-5082 extension 1478 or email Meredith.donovan@mdihospital.org to reserve your space.