Team Bliss Soldiers and civilians conduct cardiopulmonary resuscitation during their recertification course, July 24. Approximately every five years or so, the American Heart Association changes the CPR guidelines and procedures in order to improve t...

(From left) Specialist Amanda Jewett, Cpl. Lucas Wig and Spc. Jackie McGuire, all medics in 1st Battalion, 35th Armored Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, practice basic life support techniques for a choking infant during ...

Sergeant Yolanda Santos, a medic in 1st Battalion, 35th Armored Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, instructs her first basic life support class after successfully completing her BLS instructor qualifications. Santos is now...

FORT BLISS, EL PASO, Texas -- Soldiers and civilians of Team Bliss and its surrounding community, received their CPR recertifications July 25, during a course instructed by Sgt. Yolanda Santos, a 1st Bn., 35th Armor Regt, medic.

"CPR is one of the most vital skills a person can learn," said Staff Sgt. Kenneth Lafnear, the installation medical manager and a basic life support (BLS) instructor. "Heart attacks happen anywhere, not just on the battlefield," he said.

The instruction, which is open to anyone who would like to attend, covers basic life support techniques such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation for adults, children and infants as well as how to properly assist choking victims.

"The training is relevant for our jobs," said Cpl. Lucas Wig, one of the 1st Bn., 35th Armor Regt., medics who attended the course. "BLS has changed many times over the years," he said.

As well as conducting a CPR recertification course every two years, all Army medics are required to undergo their medical proficiency tables once per year, of which a block of instruction was taking place nearby.

The medic tables are a series of eight proficiency validations that consist of skills such as trauma assessment and treatment, airway assessment, triage and evacuation, and CPR management that culminate in the final table, a validation test that determines the medic's ability to perform these tasks.

Medical emergencies can happen anywhere at any time, so training on and maintaining an effective set of life saving skills is invaluable.

The 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, medics will be ready and able if just such an emergency ever occurs.