A coming three-hour class at the Andover Community Hub, taught by experienced local certified athletic trainer and emergency medical responder Kelly Griffin-Brown, is designed to help local residents respond effectively and efficiently to both life-threatening emergencies and the first-aid needs of others.
The class will begin at 1:30 PM on Sunday, October 23, at Andover’s old town hall, now the Hub headquarters, at 157 Main Street in Andover Village. Cost is $25 per participant and can be paid at the door. In addition to the training, the cost will cover take-away course materials provided by the American Heart Association, and a Heartsaver Course Completion Card, also supplied by the Heart Association, valid for two years.
The class will be divided into two 90-minute segments: the first, beginning at 1:30 PM, will focus on CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation, also known as closed-chest heart massage) and AED (automated external defibrillation). The second segment, beginning at 3:15 PM, will cover more general first-aid information, along with hands-on skill instruction for each type of first-aid emergency. The $25 cost will cover one or both segments.
Because of the need for closely supervised training, much of it with the use of CPR feedback-supported mannequins, class size will be limited to 15 people. Advance registration by October 15 is required and can be made by calling 603 735-5509 or by emailing TheAndoverHub@nullgmail.com. Those registering should indicate which class segment(s) they wish to attend. Financial assistance is available to those with limited resources.
The course will be taught by Andover resident Kelly Griffin-Brown, Proctor Academy’s head athletic trainer and anatomy and physiology teacher. She is also an adjunct instructor who provides medical emergency simulation for the National Football League sports-medicine teams. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SUNY University at Buffalo.
Who should attend? A wide range of individuals, according to Mrs. Griffin-Brown: “Anyone age 14 or older, especially kids trying to break into babysitting, people who have family members who are at high risk for medical emergencies, or anyone with small children.”
What to wear? “Clothing that you’re comfortable working on the floor in. You must be able to perform CPR in the clothes you happen to be wearing at the time. Physically, you should also be able to perform CPR on the floor on adults, children, and infants. If you cannot perform the physical skills, you will not be able to get certified.”