PORTSMOUTH — By learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), members of the public become valuable partners with first responders when it comes to saving lives, according to Lt. Dominic …
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PORTSMOUTH — By learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), members of the public become valuable partners with first responders when it comes to saving lives, according to Lt. Dominic Lautieri of the Portsmouth Fire Department.
Lt. Lautieri has made a name for himself for his outreach efforts in getting more people to learn the procedure, used to assist someone in cardiac arrest. Last year he was honored as Rhode Island’s Career EMT of the Year for not only delivering superior patient care but improving public safety through the delivery of multiple safety programs.
He recently organized a CPR informational session in the upstairs of the fire station for members of the public.
“We’re reviewing what the American Heart Association calls hands-only CPR,” Lt. Lautieri said. “It’s a technique where bystanders begin CPR by doing chest compressions with their hands only. That increases the person’s chance for survival before (EMTs) show up.”
The training was offered through the Rhode Island HeartSafe Community program to increase education and response, he said.
“The more response we have the better the outcome, and education is key,” Lt. Lautieri said.
About a dozen people came stopped by early on in the session, while more trickled in later.
“There were maybe one or two who had taken CPR years ago and they just wanted to refresh, but the majority of them were doing it for the first time,” he said. “Most importantly, they showed interest, they took the initiative to come out and learn and hopefully we’ll continue the education so they can learn the full scope of CPR.”
Some people, like Sarah McGee, came to brush up on their skills.
“I am a CNA (certified nursing assistant),” she explained. “I have my CPR certification, but it expired back in June. I came here to simply renew it. Apparently this is just an informational session, but I will be back to re-certify my CPR certificate.”
Lt. Lautieri confirmed that the program was intended to be a quick informational session only and not a class to renew a CPR certificate, which must be done every two years.
Classes available
“But if people want to take CPR classes or need a certification card, they can contact the station (401/683-1200),” he said. “They have to do a two- to four-hour classroom session; that includes a hands-on and classroom portion.”
Ideally, the department gathers enough people for group classes.
“But if there’s someone who’s in dire need — We have doctors, nurses calling us with, ‘Oh, I didn’t know I needed to renew by next week’ — we do make special exceptions,” Lt. Laurieri said.
“What we’re looking to do after the first of the year is offer open enrollment for certification classes to the general public, where it will be this day, this month and people can sign up.”