Quest to Teach Sidewalk CPR Leads to Video & Dream Cruise Learning Stations

Quest to Teach Sidewalk CPR Leads to Video & Dream Cruise Learning Stations
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug, 19, 2016)
Royal Oak, MI – Whether it’s the disco hit “Stayin’ Alive” or the delightfully nerdy cadence of the “Imperial Death March” from Star Wars, there is a point in Sidewalk CPR where having  song in your head is helpful for keeping pace. Royal Oak Fire Department EMS Coordinator Dan Phillips recently made a short video about Sidewalk CPR that includes him pumping and humming at the same time.
Sidewalk CPR is a hands-only technique that keeps the heart pumping and circulating blood in the earliest moments of cardiac arrest, that does not require mouth-to-mouth.  Phillips explained that there is enough oxygen in the blood that keeping it circulating until paramedics arrive can save someone’s life.  Calling 911 first is essential though, since EMS workers have more training and tools.  “This just helps keep the person alive until we can get there,” Phillips said.
The technique is simple – just compress the chest.  “We’re gonna keep doing that until one of two things happens – either the fire department shows up and we’ll take over for you, or the patient wakes up.  That’s it,”he explained in the video.
With the Woodward Dream Cruise in town for the weekend, firefighters in Royal Oak, Berkley and Ferndale are leading an effort to introduce the concept to as many people as possible Saturday.  There will be training stations where people come and learn the method, then help teach it to others.
The training is from 12-4 Saturday August 20^th, during the Dream Cruise with stations set up at:
-Ferndale, 9 mile and Woodward (Ferndale Fire Department)
-Berkley, Catalpa and Woodward (Alliance Mobile Health Headquarters)
-Royal Oak, 13 mile and Woodward (Royal Oak Fire Department)
Phillips helped introduce the idea of training at last years’ Dream Cruise.  Over 800 people learned the method last year, he said.  “Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, at any age at any place,” Phillips said.  “Being able to do this means being able to save a life.”
Look for the stations at Dream Cruise, or watch Philips’ video below.  Share this to spread the word about the ease of Sidewalk CPR.

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