MCKENZIE BRIDGE, Oregon (STPNS) -- WALTERVILLE Nearly every week  someone in the U.S. can tell a riveting story of a life saved because someone has taken CPR training. Victims of a heart attack, shock, stroke, a fall, or even drowning frequently require a CPR response. The training can make heroes out of ordinary people who respond in an emergency and use their training to save a life.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, or CPR, uses a combination of rescue breathing and chest compressions delivered to victims thought to be in cardiac arrest. When cardiac arrest occurs, the heart stops pumping blood. CPR can support a small amount of blood flow to the heart and brain to “buy time” until normal heart function is restored.



McKenzie Fire & Rescue has launched a program aimed at having all citizens in the district CPR trained. The skills involved in CPR and First Aid training are basic and will be offered in a series of classes starting this month and running through October.

CPR are scheduled for Tuesdays and & First Aid classes will be held on Thursdays – both on a quarterly schedule, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Leaburg Training Facility (42870 McKenzie Hwy). Participants (fire district residents) will receive a McKenzie Fire CPR card when they complete the course. A MEDIC First Aid Card can be provided upon request. A minimum of four students is required to conduct a class.

While calling 911 is a great plan, the fact is, the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) aren’t going to be on the scene nearly as fast as people who are already there. Studies have shown if CPR is started within four minutes of a collapse, and defibrillation is provided within ten minutes, a person has a 40% chance of survival.

Call 541-746-6312 for regis-tration and more information.