Viborg senior helps teach community CPR

Up to 80% of people experiencing cardiac arrest die in route to the hospital. This is why it is important for people to know CPR.

Two years ago, a referee had a heart attack in the middle of a game between Centerville and Viborg-Hurley. Thanks to a quick response from people in the crowd performing CPR, he is okay. For student Haley Nelson, she got to see first hand why knowing CPR is important.

“And if there wasn’t anyone in the crowd that knew, like knew that skill, he could have lost his life that day,” says CPR Senior Project Haley Nelson.

Which is why, for her Senior Project, Nelson along with Sanford and Pioneer Memorial Hospital, are hosting a CPR instruction class.

“Because it is in those times when you’re with your family and your loved one’s friends, just in your community, neighbors, that a cardiac event is going to happen. It’s not really going to always happen in the hospital,” says Sanford Health Clinic Director/ CPR Instructor Lori Visker.

The class covered adult and child CPR, CPR for babies, and the Heimlich maneuver. Instructors even gave the class tricks for performing CPR.

To help keep the correct pace while performing CPR, they recommend listening to the song ‘Stayin’ Alive’– for more than just inspiration.

“And so remembering to just push hard and fast. And any CPR is better than no CPR,” says Visker.

The class also allowed Nelson’s fellow classmates to understand the importance of knowing CPR.

“Like you just never know when it’s going to happen. And you’re going to have to do it in some situations, you’re just going to have to do it and it can save a life,” says Senior Giahna Miller.

The class was originally only offered to students, but after extreme interest from the community, Nelson opened it up to everyone.