Manikins breathe life into CPR, first aid classes

By Pfc. Jin Choi (USAG Red Cloud)August 4, 2010

Manikins breathe life into CPR, first aid classes
Sergio Hoyos, a summer hire in the Red Cloud Garrison Equal Employment Opportunity Office, and lst Lt. Gregory Davis, executive officer of the Division Special Troop Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, follow the instructions of Leah Barber, assistant st... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

RED CLOUD GARRISON, South Korea - First aid classes have long been taught by the American Red Cross in Warrior Country, but thanks to a donation of manikins from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity the students who take the cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid course at Red Cloud Garrison are getting a dose of reality that may one day help them save lives.

Yongsan Garrison's Lambda Xi Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity donated more than $1,000 for the American Red Cross to purchase 10 infant- and 10 adult-size manikins to aid in teaching the classes. Omega Psi Phi is a historically black service-based fraternity with 750 chapters worldwide.

Being able to offer monthly CPR and first aid classes to the community is one of the most important tasks of any overseas Red Cross station, said Jana Fullmer, station manager of the American Red Cross in Warrior Country.

Without permanent manikins in the station, it was difficult for the American Red Cross at Red Cloud Garrison to offer the classes.

"We had to transport our manikins from Casey to Red Cloud, which was quite a process and the difficulty of doing so meant it limited how many classes we could offer down there," said Leah Barber, assistant station manager for the American Red Cross at Casey Garrison.

When the fraternity brothers of Omega Psi Phi learned of this need they made a donation of $1,224.90 to the American Red Cross station June 17 so they could purchase the manikins.

"With these manikins, we know that our efforts to teach CPR and first aid to people in Warrior Country will continue to help save lives, just as Dr. Drew's efforts did so long ago," Fullmer said.

Dr. Charles R. Drew was an African-American physician, surgeon, medical researcher and a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity who is credited with establishing the first American Red Cross Blood Bank.

His pioneering research in the field of blood transfusions, including improved techniques for storing blood, led to the creation of large-scale blood banks early in World War II which helped medics save the lives of allied forces.

Fullmer said the CPR and first aid classes are particularly important for young parents, people in the workplace and to people who work with children, such as at Casey Elementary School, which is scheduled to open Aug. 30.

"Having the information and the skills means if someone finds themselves in a situation, they will have the confidence to do something and to maybe even save a life" Fullmer said.

The next CPR and first aid class at Red Cloud Garrison will be offered Aug 11. Call the American Red Cross at 730-6160 or 730-3184 to register.