CPR is an important skill that everyone should learn. People do not need to be a medical professional to know or use CPR, and the Montgomery Fire Department offers quarterly classes to teach this life-saving skill. Knowing CPR empowers you to help someone in a life threatening situation. As a parent, this skill comes into play with children younger than five who tend to put small objects in their mouths, which can lead to choking. Choking is a leading cause of death in this age group and knowing what to do and how to perform CPR allows you to act quickly. Also, situations may arise when someone’s breathing or heart has stopped. In the summer, working in the heat increases the chances of this happening. Same in the winter when the body is stressed doing strenuous activities like shoveling snow. Immediate action with CPR is the most effective way to save that individual, as an ambulance may not arrive for several minutes. Providing CPR could mean the difference between life and death for someone who is unconscious.
First Aid Classes – Responding with Care and Knowledge
The Montgomery Fire Department can offer basic First Aid training, and encourages babysitters, parents, coaches and all adults to consider first aid certification. First aid training gives individuals the tools to alleviate suffering, prevent further injury and prolong life. It can be as simple as lessoning the pain of a bee sting to calming someone having trouble breathing. The knowledge conveyed in first aid classes prepares participants to respond and prioritize care in smart, effective and safe ways that can really make a significant difference to the experience and the life of an injured or ill person.