Learning how to save lives at a young age

An important day for the Office of Catholic Schools: Superintendent Dr. Rosemary Henry received 66 CPR training kits for the Catholic Schools in the Diocese. Children can learn to perform hands-only CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). The mannequins indicate where CPR should be performed and respond with a click when the pressure is sufficient for effective CPR.
 
Amy Canterbury, Development Director at the American Heart Association in Corpus Christi, handed over the kits and thanked the sponsors, Christus SPOHN South and Dr. Mary Jane Garza. “Everyone should learn how to be a lifesaver,” she said. Children as young as four can learn the steps, and starting at age nine, they can perform CPR. The kits will be distributed to the Catholic Schools of the Diocese, where teachers, staff, and students can learn this simple, effective first-aid measure.
 
Sonia Marines and Melissa De la Garza, the Community Impact Director, demonstrated the use of mannequins. Four students from St. Patrick School tried it out until the clicking sound indicated they were applying enough strength. "Think of the rhythm of the song 'Baby Shark,'" they told the students. Approximately 150 schools in Corpus Christi utilize these kits to train students in CPR.
 
LaNell Scott, President of Christus SPOHN South, and Chief Nursing Officer Ashley Gresenz represented the sponsors who partnered with the American Heart Association. Dr. Henry expressed gratitude for the opportunity to equip and train the students to save lives.