Milwaukee barbershop hosts CPR training class

A Milwaukee barbershop gave the community more than clean shaves and haircuts on Saturday – it provided a space for life-saving training.

Gee's Clippers was bustling for a hands-only CPR class. More than a dozen people sat near the demonstration, but everyone at the barbershop heard the information.

"In the U.S., we have about 400,000 cases of cardiac arrest every year outside the hospital setting," said Carlos Velazquez-Sanchez with the Milwaukee Fire Department.

Velazquez-Sanchez said cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops beating. MFD provided mannequins for the participants to perform compressions on, and the group learned how to jump into action if they encounter someone who is unconscious.

"Being able to provide them with mannequins and AEDs that they can actually practice and have a little bit of fun with it and get the concept, get the hands on – it's crucial," said Velazquez-Sanchez.

Brittany Dyer, a barber, was among those who rolled up her sleeves.

"Just because I’m in nursing school as well, and I just like helping people," she said.

"Things happen in life, and when it’s an emergency, you really want to be able to know that you can count on the people that are around you," said Morgan Miller.

The free event also had a "stop the bleed" portion, as well as instructions on how to administer NARCAN during an opioid overdose. Miller, a Froedert community outreach nurse, shared overdose symptoms.

"Slurred speech, their breathing really starts to slowdown, they may even start to do more of a gasping noise," she said.

What you can do:

Velazquez-Sanchez said calling 911 is imperative. But a medical emergency can happen anywhere, and the hope is Saturday's training can help people help others before first responders arrive.

"If even one person walks away with more knowledge, we would be happy," Miller said.