MTACS-28 Marines learn life-saving techniques

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- Members of Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28 learned basic life-saving skills during a CPR and Automated External Defibrillator certification class Feb. 19 at the Jerry Marvel Training and Education building here.

The class trains participants to properly conduct CPR and AED procedures on adults, children and infants. The class incorporates both visual and hands-on aids to assist all leaning types during the four-hour session.

The immediate use of CPR while a person is experiencing life-threatening conditions gives the victim the best chance of survival, according to Petty Officer 2nd Class Carter Laur, a hospital corpsman with MTACS-28.

“We can only do our best to try and prolong a person’s life until he or she reaches a higher level of medical care,” said Laur, the CPR and AED class instructor.

Emergency actions can help save victims from heart failure, according to Laur. For this reason, the Marines learned to recognize signs that someone is in cardiac distress or is in need of CPR. The Marines also learned how to perform the Heimlich maneuver to assist choking victims.

CPR and AED certification is important both in the Marine Corps and personally. In any given situation, a Marine may be the only person on the scene when someone is experiencing cardiac arrest or is need of CPR, according to Laur. If no other medical personnel are around, a certified Marine can help anyone in need and will know how to perform CPR until higher levels of medical care arrive.

Staff Sgt. Kristopher M. Boice, the training chief with MTACS-28, attended the four-hour class with hopes of becoming an instructor to teach other Marines in the squadron the same life-saving skills.

“A lot of the Marines we have taking the class are mechanics and electricians,” said Boice. “If we have 15 people doing electrical work and no one knows CPR, then we have to go find somebody, and that’s wasting valuable life-saving time.”

The class better equipped the Marines, expanding their personal and professional development, according to Boice.

Laur recommends CPR and AED certification for anyone who has the willingness and desire to possibly help save a life.

Training officers and coordinators can contact the training support department at (252) 466-2347 if they have any questions.