The CPR and First Aid class offered in November at The Andover Community Hub filled quickly and had a waiting list, so it’s being offered again on Sunday, February 5, with a registration deadline of January 26 in order to have time to order the course materials. 

The class will again be taught by experienced athletic trainer and emergency medical responder Kelly Griffin-Brown, who is also 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. 

This class is intended to help local residents respond effectively and efficiently to both life-threatening emergencies and the first-aid needs of others.  It’s appropriate for adults who have family members who are at high risk for medical emergencies, parents of small children, teachers, or business staff who deal with the general public, and teenagers age 13 or older who may be interested in babysitting or otherwise involved with younger children. 

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 emergency.

The cost is $35 per participant, and covers the training as well as the take-home course materials provided by the American Heart Association, and a Heartsaver Course Completion Card, also supplied by the Heart Association, which is valid for two years.

Because of the need for closely supervised training, the class will be limited to 15 people.  Advance registration is required and can be made by contacting The Andover Hub at theandoverhub@nullgmail.com or 603 735-5509.  Payment for the class is requested ahead of time and can be sent to The Hub at PO Box 157, Andover 03216, or dropped in the mail slot to the right of The Hub’s front door at 157 Main St.  If a participant is interested in only one segment, please indicate that at the time of registration; the fee is the same for one or both segments.  Some financial assistance is available to those with limited resources who request it.

Participants are asked to wear comfortable clothing for working at floor level and must be physically able to perform CPR down on the floor in order to get certified.