Firefighters and paramedics from Gravenhurst will host the Community CPR Clinic at the Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Car Show on June 15.
It will take place at the Gull Lake Rotary Park, where members from both organizations will be available to teach as many people as possible.
Gravenhurst Fire Chief Larry Brassard said paramedics and firefighters will be showing people how to do the newly sanctioned “hands-only” method.
“Hands-only” CPR is so simple, virtually anyone can learn to save a life in two minutes, and if that’s all people have to spare with us while walking through the car show, we’ll be only too happy to show them how they can literally save a life in two minutes or less,” Brassard said in a news release.
“It’s important to note this clinic is for educational purposes and not certification.”
The new method has proven to be effective in saving lives and is getting more popular because people performing it don’t need to make mouth-to-mouth contact with someone else.
“Studies have shown that merely doing the chest compression component allows oxygen, which is already in the bloodstream, to be transported throughout the unconscious person’s body and supply the vital organs until further help can arrive,” said Isaiah Tryon a paramedic and community relations coordinator with Muskoka Paramedic Services in the same news release.
“If a loved one is having a heart attack, the more people who can initiate this life-saving technique, the better.”
Both Tryon and Brassard said while no one wants to be in a situation where they have to do CPR, it is always best to be prepared. They added calling 911 should always be the first priority though.
The officials said anyone having a heart attack or similar life-threatening situation have a much higher chance of surviving if someone starts CPR as soon as possible.
With Muskoka having so many lakes and waterways, it is important for locals to know CPR in case someone is drowning.
