Seely Place Sixth Graders Get CPR Training

On Wednesday April 21, Seely Place Elementary School, in conjunction with the American Heart Association, conducted a CPR training program for all 6th-graders. The impetus behind the program was last summer's near-death incident with EHS Senior Cody Fisher. Since then, Cody and his mother, Alisa Herschaft, have been active advocates for CPR/AED training. As a result, more than 42 faculty members voluntarily completed a training workshop this past fall, with future workshops planned. While Fisher and Herschaft considered that a good start, their vision extended much further.

Through their efforts, the American Heart Association donated more than 150 training kits (CPR Anytime™ for Family and Friends) so that every 6th-grader, at both Seely and Greenville Elementary Schools, could not only learn CPR, but also take the kits home to teach their parents and friends. Each kit contained an inflatable mannequin, an instructional DVD and a booklet. "From the minute I walked into the building this morning, there was tremendous enthusiasm for the program," said Mark Hurley of The AHA.

Program facilitator Letitia Osborne explained to the children, that administering CPR could double or triple the chances for survival if someone stops breathing. In addition to full and hands-only CPR instruction, children learned how to respond to a choking victim and Captain Lis, from the Greenville Fire Department, provided an overview about the use of an AED machine. Herschaft realized the importance of knowing CPR after Cody nearly died from cardiac arrest last summer while working at a sleep-away camp. "If it had happened in front of me I would have had to call 911 and wait," she said. As Captain Park, of the Greenville Fire Department, said, "from the time you dial 911, to when help is dispatched and arrives, it could be 3-5 minutes. Knowing how to do CPR immediately could make a huge difference."

As Alisa watched the training session, she dabbed away tears from her eyes. Today is of particular significance to her as it is also Cody's 18th birthday, a day he reached largely due to these life-saving techniques. "I'm just so happy he's alive, and doing so great," she said. This fall, Cody will be attending SUNY Albany School of Business, a rare honor for a freshman, and will be managing the school's football team. When asked what he thought about the fact that this program happened to be taking place on his birthday he said, "It's really heartwarming. A great gift."

At-Home personal CPR Training Kits are available, for $35, through the American Heart Association website or 877-AHA-4CPR.

Betsy Cadel is an Edgemont resident, freelance writer, and wants to wish Cody a very happy birthday.