Helping first responders, each other via CPR

By John B. SnyderMarch 16, 2015

Helping first responders, helping others via CPR
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Helping first responders, helping others via CPR
2 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – During the four-hour CPR training conducted at the Watervliet Arsenal in March 2015, attendees learned how to administer CPR to adults, children, and to infants. Instructors Christine Schiller, left, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen Breen, kneeli... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Helping first responders, helping others via CPR
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Helping first responders, helping others via CPR
4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lieutenant Donald Haberski, center, led the CPR training with assistance from Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen Breen, left. This was the first CPR course offered to the entire workforce. Previously, CPR training was only offered to those whose jobs ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Helping first responders, helping others via CPR
5 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – What was great about the CPR training is that students learned how to apply CPR to adults, children, and as seen in this photo, infants. Peter Sofranko, right, said he took the class because he wants to be better prepared to take care of his two you... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Helping first responders, helping others via CPR
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WATERVLIET ARSENAL, N.Y. (March 2015) -- Your coworker collapses on the floor …tick…tick…tick… you check to see if the individual is okay …tick…tick…tick… he isn't breathing …tick…tick…tick… you are all alone …tick…tick…tick…

The actions you take or don't take in the next few seconds may have life altering consequences, for your coworker and for yourself, said Donald Haberski, a lieutenant with the Arsenal fire department.

"There is no doubt that this situation, which recently occurred at the Arsenal, would place you in an extremely stressful situation," Haberski said. "But the key is to do something, anything that will save that person's life."

The act of doing something is the genesis behind a revitalization of a cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR course the Arsenal has been doing for many years, Haberski said. The training here had been focused on those who needed CPR training as part of their job, such as those who work in the Arsenal's health clinic and emergency services.

But Haberski and the Arsenal's leadership wanted to share the wealth by providing free training to everyone at the Arsenal, and that is what Haberski did this week.

Haberski said his goal is to offer the course to anyone who wants to take it. But given the fact that the Arsenal has 2.1 million square feet of office and production floor space, he believes it is critical that a significant number of the workforce is trained in CPR so that aid can be more quickly provided.

"Although the Arsenal's emergency services is very responsive to urgent calls, early intervention is the key to better patient outcomes," Haberski said. "So, the sooner someone can start receiving CPR the better chances that they will survive."

According to the Mayo Clinic, CPR can keep oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs until more definitive medical treatment can restore a normal heart rhythm.

When the heart stops, the lack of oxygenated blood can cause brain damage in only a few minutes. A person may die within eight to 10 minutes.

During the recent four-hour course, students learned the critical skills needed to respond to and manage a sudden cardiac arrest emergency until emergency medical services arrive. Students applied their learned skills to three different scenarios: adult; child; and an infant.

Additionally, Haberski provided training on the use of an Automated External Defibrillator or AED.

The American Red Cross states that more than 350,000 Americans will die from sudden cardiac arrest this year. But with the proper administering of CPR and AED, those actions could save 50,000 lives each year. AED is the only effective treatment for restoring a regular heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest and is an easy to operate tool for someone with no medical background. For each minute defibrillation is delayed, the chance of survival is reduced approximately 10 percent.

"What is great about this training is that an individual can take their new skills and apply it to situations here, as well as situations outside of the Arsenal fence line," Haberski said.

And others agreed with him.

"I took the training because I was inspired by those who stepped up last year when we lost one of our coworkers here at the Arsenal," said Tracey Fitzpatrick, an Arsenal timekeeper. "I wanted to be prepared to help if a similar situation ever arose and I was nearby."

The training was very thorough and should she ever have to call upon the training, Fitzpatrick said she feels confident that she can provide lifesaving care until help arrives.

Peter Sofranko, an Arsenal production controller, said that he took the CPR training because he has two young daughters.

"I thought the training was very good and it gave me a sense of confidence that if I ever needed to provide CPR to my girls that I would know what to do," Sofranko said.

Haberski was able to train 20 workers during the March course due in large part to the support he received from Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen Breen, who is an Arsenal safety officer, and from Christine Schiller, a former nurse and the wife of the Arsenal commander.

"Without the support from Chief Breen and from Christine, I would have only been able to train 10 workers," Haberski said. "It was terrific having the additional instructor help from two who are well-experienced in CPR."

Upon completion of the course, all attendees will be certified by the American Heart Association for two years. The next class begins on May 14.

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The Watervliet Arsenal is an Army-owned-and-operated manufacturing facility and is the oldest, continuously active arsenal in the United States having begun operations during the War of 1812.

Today's Arsenal is relied upon by U.S. and foreign militaries to produce the most advanced, high-tech, high-powered weaponry for cannon, howitzer, and mortar systems. This National Historic Registered Landmark has an annual economic benefit to the local community in excess of $90 million, and its 2014 revenue was about $117 million.

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