Training Center staff teach CPR at state capitol

As part of a national recognition of heart health, UMMC Training Center staff join representatives from the American Heart Association to provide CPR instruction to legislators and their staff Feb. 11 at the Mississippi Capitol.

They include, from left, Chastity Mitchell (AHA), Katherine Bryant (AHA), Chris Busby (UMMC), Myrna Saxon (UMMC), Elizabeth Williams (AHA), Michelle Schweinfurth (UMMC), Anya Jones (UMMC), Shayne Boackle (UMMC), Brenda Watt (UMMC), Nikki Hutson (UMMC) and Kimberly Hughes (American Cancer Society). (Enlarge Photo)

The group taught the "hands-only" CPR technique that requires no mouth-to-mouth contact, which is easier to learn than the conventional CPR method but can be critical to a cardiac arrest victim's survival.

"The goal is to train capitol staff and state lawmakers how to properly administer 'hands-only' CPR in case someone goes into cardiac arrest," said Michelle Schweinfurth, UMMC Training Center coordinator. "One never knows when they might witness someone in their community or at home experiencing sudden cardiac arrest."