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From the Desk of Dr. Halley: AED & CPR Update

January 11, 2023

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Putnam County R-I Schools takes pride in our students, staff, facilities, and community. We do our best to be prepared for any situation that could arise; performing drills for earthquakes,  fires, tornadoes, and active shooters. We also equip and train our staff and coaches each year on how to perform life-saving techniques and utilize tools in case of emergency. Those include CPR and AED training and when and how to use an EpiPen, in addition to training on mental health and suicide prevention, First Aid, heat illness prevention, and concussion prevention and protocol. 

On Wednesday, November 23, 2022, what was a normal basketball practice, turned into a life-saving event when one of our own students experienced sudden cardiac arrest. Thanks to the training that our staff and coaches have learned and reviewed each year, they were able to quickly take action to help save the life of one of our own. We are forever grateful for their courage and bravery at that moment and to all who helped save a life that day. We would also like to thank all of the schools and communities that have extended much care, support, and generosity. Know that if you are ever in a similar situation, we will have your back.

Because of CPR and AED training, our student is alive and on their way to recovery. At PCR-I, we will continue to put time and resources into training and prevention and we hope that you will too.

Our plan is to have 4 staff members certified thru the American Heart Association to instruct Heartsaver and Basic Life Support classes by August 2023. Stephanie Gillum, Taylor Bennett, Kellyn Robinson, and Blane Robinson have agreed to go through training to become certified trainers. We plan on utilizing their training not only for our students and staff but also eventually opening classes up to the community. We will keep you posted as that training is completed and made available.

Stephanie Gillum, our school nurse, wrote a grant through AEDGrant.com and was approved. Our school is securing 20 AED Machines with the help of that grant. The Samaritan PAD 350P Semi-Automatic is the AED we have chosen to secure for our schools and we would encourage our community to look into the same for continuity of training if they choose to secure one for their place of business or worship. 

Our goal is to eventually have an AED on each school bus and to have our building trades students all AED/CPR certified as well.

We encourage our community and other schools across the state to do their part to become Heartsaver certified. Thank you again, to all who have been so supportive of our student and their family. They are living proof that CPR and AED training works. 

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