Life-saving skills going to MAT-SU 8th grader

MAT-SU— Students at Houston Middle School will soon have the skills and confidence to save someone’s life. Knowing that 80 percent of heart attacks occur at home, Matanuska-Susitna Borough emergency responders are extending their reach by teaching an 8^th grade class cardio pulmonary resuscitation or CPR.

The chances of a person surviving a heart attack fall 10 percent for every minute’s delay of CPR. Only 25 percent of people who need CPR receive any before responders arrive. “The idea is we teach the student and then as a homework assignment they take a kit home and teach 5 family members or friends,” said Kara Boothby, Emergency Services Area Assistant. “In doing this we hope to increase the number of people in the state who are trained in hands-only, CPR.”

The effort needs your help. A single American Heart Association CPR kit includes a manikin and DVD for $25. The responders have enough kits for this class but seek funding to continue training for the remaining 8^th graders in the MAT-SU.

Six emergency responders from Central MAT-SU will teach the students. The responders are partnering with the Loren Marshall Foundation in its Big Wild Heart of Alaska Initiative. That program’s website holds the goal of” Every 8^th Grader by 2011.” “There are approximately 10,000 8^th grade students per year in the state of Alaska,’’ according to the foundation. “If each student trains on average 4 family members, 50,000 citizens per year will be trained via this “multiplier” effect.”

Another stat showing the value: bystander CPR doubles and in some cases triples the patient’s chance for survival. The class is Jan. 6 at 7:30 a.m. to 9:05 a.m.

Donations can be sent to a fund for MAT-SU at the Loren Marshall Foundation or call (907) 720-0911.

For reporters please attend the class and get first-hand reactions of the students who are gaining life-saving skills.

Reporters for more information call Kara Boothby who is also Treasurer of Loren Marshall Foundation at (cell) 982-4683.