100th CES Fire Department offers CPR training Published June 7, 2012 By Jennifer Maligaya 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs - volunteer RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Lead Firefighter Simon Evans and Crew Manager David Bootman, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department, offer cardiopulmonary resuscitation courses for all active-duty members and medical professionals. Both Evans and Bootman have instructed many versions of the continuously-updated guidelines for certifications in CPR during the past 12 years. Due to minor improvements over the past decade, the American Heart Association requires certified individuals to retake CPR and Automated External Defibrillator courses every two years to obtain the utmost proper protocol procedures. The 100th CES instructors, including Evans and Bootman, offer two of the five courses in CPR: workplace training (Heartsaver CPR AED) and healthcare training (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support). Depending on a student's profession and whether or not they have completed a course previously, the training varies from two to three hours to five to seven hours. "Two of our firefighters - Tech. Sgt. Jacob Silvia and Firefighter Ian Nichols -used the defibrillators to treat a young man from the 352nd Operations Support Squadron a few years back ... so we know the training works," said Evans. Myths of performing CPR incorrectly have raised uncertainty as to whether poor application may cause more harm than good. In fact, performing CPR incorrectly most likely will not kill someone. "If they (the victim) are going to die, whether there's disease or some kind of malfunction, then they are likely to die, without medical operation or interaction. You won't be able to prevent that," Evans explained. "We are treating the outside. We don't know what disease or conditions they have." "I've responded, sort of a Good Samaritan response, outside (of my job) and done CPR. Unfortunately, it didn't work, but in vast majorities of cases, it is successful," he said. "Two and a half months ago, I tried to help my next-door neighbor, who collapsed. I was unsuccessful with him, but apparently he had a heart valve problem," added Bootman. "The best chance is rapid medical intervention in a hospital." "Basically, get victims treated," said Evans. "Initially, get one of these defibrillators (AED) to them as soon as possible, because it's a brilliant box of tricks that looks at what's happening with your heart. (As first-responders) we respond (with CPR procedures) until advanced medical care arrives." According to the American Heart Association website, about 92 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before reaching the hospital. It states that statistics prove if more people knew CPR, more lives could be saved. Immediate CPR can double, or even triple a victim's chance of survival. Both training sessions involve a DVD guide and a questionnaire, which is tailored to the students. The DVD demonstrates scenarios and provides examples of performing the correct CPR procedures. In-between chapters, the participants discuss and perform CPR on mannequins. Individuals are given a skill sheet, which provides step-by-step instructions and are used as guidelines toward being certified. Evans and Bootman have taught classes for between one and 30 people. Once a course is completed, graduates may have their certification within the next few days. Those interested in doing a CPR class, but who are not active- duty members or medical professionals, can go through their local American Red Cross for training. The CPR classes are free of charge. To sign up, call the fire department at DSN 238-2763 or 01638-542763.