“I think this is my third or fourth year of helping teach the class,” Rowe said. “They’ve been shorthanded, so I step in where I can.”

The training follows American Heart Association guidelines for Basic Life Support (BLS).

The training is open to anyone, not just county residents. It costs $15 per person, and registration is handled through the Jackson County Ambulance Service.

Once signed up, Rowe receives names ahead of time to prepare for the session. After the class, participants must complete an instructor evaluation online before receiving their certification, valid for two years.

Participants learn to perform chest compressions, give rescue breaths, and use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

“A lot of people who come in here have never seen an AED before,” Rowe said. “We make sure they know how to use it. That way, if they’re ever in a gym, school, or out on a highway and someone goes down, they know what to do.”

The course aligns with guidelines set by the American Heart Association, which emphasizes that immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival after cardiac arrest.

According to the AHA, nearly 70% of cardiac arrests happen at home, and only about 40% of victims receive help before emergency services arrive.

Rowe said those numbers underscore why this training is essential for everyone, not just medical professionals.

“Out here, especially in rural areas, EMS can’t always get there right away,” he said. “What if you’re on Illinois 149 or Route 3 and you come up on a wreck? You might be the first one on the scene. If you can keep someone going until paramedics arrive, that might be the difference between life and death.”

The session includes both video-based instruction and hands-on practice with mannequins and real equipment.

Certification is valid for two years and is widely accepted across healthcare and public service.

The class is designed to be approachable, even for people with no medical background. Rowe said his goal is to make sure people leave with practical skills they can use, even if they’re uncomfortable doing every step.

“We teach the full protocol, 30 compressions and two breaths,” he said. “But if someone doesn’t have a mask or just isn’t comfortable giving breaths, I tell them, once you’re out there, these are your tools. Use what you’re comfortable with. The important thing is you’re doing something.”

Organizers encourage anyone interested to sign up — from teachers and coaches to church staff and everyday citizens. Knowing CPR, they say, could make all the difference when seconds matter most.

Registration for the next class scheduled for May 21 can be completed by calling 618-529-6158 or emailing Ambulance@jacksoncounty-il.gov.

Once registered, participants will receive a confirmation and follow-up instructions. After the class, certification is issued digitally upon completing an online evaluation.