CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As sports fans still process the sudden hospitalization of Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin, medical professionals stressed the need for people to learn life-saving measures, from how to use an AED to learning CPR.
CPR is short for "cardiopulmonary resuscitation", and it involves using chest compressions as part of a temporary measure to help someone until they can get to a hospital. In Mecklenburg County, several organizations offer courses regularly on how to perform CPR.
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Atrium Health, Novant Health, and Medic EMS are part of a collaborative effort called Keep The Beat, which aims to boost bystander CPR capability in Mecklenburg County. Classes of at least 15 people are needed for this, and those interested can send an email to pr@medic911.com to share their interest in the class. To note, this is just for CPR training, not a full certification course.
There is also a free non-certified CPR and AED training scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 6, at the Medic EMS headquarters located at 4425 Wilkinson Blvd in Charlotte. Those interested are asked to register online.
The YMCA of Greater Charlotte offers CPR certification courses and asks people to fill out an online interest form to set it up. Just pick the branch closest to you, how many students are interested, and more information as needed. Members of the Y get a discount on the programs offered.
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Additionally, several Red Cross locations across the Charlotte metro area offer CPR certification courses. Just check with your local location for more information. Programs from both the Red Cross and the YMCA of Greater Charlotte require some online pre-work before in-person instruction.