By Christian Sheckler
The News-Sentinel
FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Dozens of people showed up at the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Community Center on Wednesday for free CPR training that was part of the Fort Wayne Newspapers Three Rivers Festival.
A diverse group of all ages came to the hands-only training that taught participants how to perform effective chest compressions, a lifesaving skill even for those who are not comfortable with mouth-to-mouth techniques. Participants came to learn for varying reasons.
Butch Sloan, 62, said his wife, Carolyn, a registered nurse, told him to come with her to the training session. While it was Sloan’s first CPR training, his wife was brushing up on her skills.
“You just can’t practice enough,” said Carolyn Sloan, 58.
For some trainees, the session was part of their jobs. June Jordan, who works in human resources, said she came on behalf of her employer to learn CPR and train other company employees. The training was “very helpful,” said Jordan, 40.
“And it can be tiring,” she said. “You have to have a lot of energy, that’s for sure.”
Jessica Buckmaster, an elementary school substitute, said she felt she should take a refresher.
“I should be able to handle a situation if anything happens,” said Buckmaster, 26, who lives in Florida and is visiting family in Fort Wayne. Buckmaster said she learned about the free training from a newspaper and on the radio.
Ursula Ferrier said she wanted to learn CPR to be prepared if she witnesses an injury.
“I’m the type of person who, when I see an accident, I just can’t pass by,” said Ferrier, 33. She brought her daughter, Katrina Thurber, 13, to the training.
Wednesday’s training was the third CPR session offered by the city. A release said more than 400 people were trained.The event was sponsored by the City of Fort Wayne, the Three Rivers Ambulance Authority, American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana, the health department, Focus on Health, Lutheran Health and Parkview Health.
Copyright 2009 The News-Sentinel