CPR Saves Lives

Northwest Students can help make a difference in supporting others by becoming CPR certified. 

Roughly 1.4 million people will suffer from a heart attack a year, and about 400,000 of those people will experience an ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). A STEMI is the most severe type of heart attack. STEMIs occur when an artery supplying blood to the heart suddenly becomes partially or entirely blocked by a blood clot. More than 350,000 people will go into cardiac arrest outside of a hospital, and over 350,000 victims will die. Only around 40 percent of victims received CPR by a bystander. 

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, commonly known as CPR, is a lifesaving procedure performed when a person’s heart stops beating or they have stopped breathing. CPR helps keep the blood flow stay active until emergency medical treatment has arrived. The American Heart Association is a well-known organization that has a mission to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke by providing public health education. They offer various courses, training programs and supplies. The American Red Cross (ACR) is another popular organization that helps certified people. ARC also provides a CPR seven-step list. 

The Wetzel family is one victim of many who experienced a heart attack, turning into cardiac arrest. Eric Wetzel, a husband, father, teacher and coach, went into cardiac arrest on August 4th, 2022, after going on a run. Then, he suddenly collapsed on the floor and becoming non-responsive, His wife Megan Wetzel quickly responded by dialing 911 for assistance and began CPR on her husband with the help of an operator. Sophomore Zadia Wetzel took her and her other siblings upstairs. “My emotions were all over the place. Everyone was in distress and we didn’t know if we would ever see our dad again,” Zadia Wetzel stated. The Wetzels share their story and help spread awareness on just how important CPR is. One way they shared their story was by attending the 2023 Greater Des Moines Heart Ball held by the American Heart Association.Schools such as Northwest High School and Prairieview School have a unit in health class where they are taught CPR. Currently, only Theron Stewart, a health and P.E. teacher at Prairieview, is CPR certified and able to certify others. Many people get confused when hearing this. Though a person might be certified in CPR, that does not mean they are certified to instruct CPR. To instruct and certify others, a person must take another course specialized for instructing which lasts for two years. “It is two days of classroom work and various skills and tests, so you have to take a written test. And then you have hands-on tests where somebody watches to make sure that not only you can perform CPR correctly, but that you are able to teach others to do it correctly,” certified instructor Cara Campbell stated. Students at Prairieview are taught differently. It is more broken up by getting one day of continued teaching, practicing on mannequins, role-playing and taking a written test. Despite the fact that Stewart is certified, no student currently at Prairieview can receive certification. This is because not every teacher can certify others. To make it fair for everyone, Prairieview removed CPR certification from health classes. Despite students being unable to get certified, students still learn and practice CPR. “Students can make a big difference just knowing the skills. If you were put in a position [where you could perform CPR] that means that person is far more likely to be alive today,” Stewart stated. Many are nervous or even unsure about how to do CPR, but it is better to try than be afraid and do nothing. It all comes down to saving someone’s life.