Do you know CPR? If so, you could save a life

On a day like many others, Larry Jaudon made lunch for his daughters—macaroni and cheese with hotdogs. The girls were sitting at the table eating their favorite meal, when 5-year-old Amanda began frantically running around the table. 

“I told her to sit down and eat, but she kept running back and forth,” he said. “Then I saw the panicked look in her eyes. She was too young to use the universal symbol for choking, but that’s what was happening.” 

He went into action, using the training he had learned just two days before. 

“Knowing the Heimlich Maneuver saved my daughter’s life,” Jaudon said. 

Since then, Jaudon, director of the Environment, Safety and Health Department at Sanford Lab, has used the Heimlich Maneuver twice—both times outside of the workplace. That’s just one reason he recommended Sanford Lab implement the National Safety Council’s (NSC) certified First Aid, CPR and AED training course for every employee at Sanford Lab. 

“Obviously, we want this program in place so that we can care for our co-workers in emergencies,” he said. “It improves the safety situation here. But it also gives us the opportunity to impact lives outside of work and benefits our communities.”

The Heimlich Maneuver is just one element of the certified training program that was implemented early this year. During the interactive course participants practice CPR on a mannequin, learn how to use an AED (automated external defibrillator), and practice how—and when—to apply first aid treatment. Demonstrations are given in the treatment of wounds, how to apply a splint and tourniquet, and how to use an epi pen when a person is suffering from an allergic reaction. 

As a registered nurse, Laura Baatz had training in CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation). Like Jaudon, she has used that training more when off duty, when no one even knew she was a nurse, than in a clinical setting.

“I have taught CPR/First Aid classes for a long time so when I needed to use it, I didn’t even have to think about what I was doing. It was just like muscle memory,” she said. “I’m so grateful I had a clear understanding and knowledge of these skills.”  

All 130 staff members will take the course, which is led by Baatz, Sanford Lab’s occupational nurse. It’s a huge undertaking, Baatz said, but one she believes is essential—there can be a very fine line between a minor incident and major trauma.

“Woody Hover (a safety specialist at Sanford Lab) always says, ‘If someone is hurt underground, it is often 30 minutes before they will see the back of an ambulance,’” Baatz said. “That really highlights the need for all staff to be confident administers of first response.”

And in some situations, timing is everything. 

“If a person goes into cardiac arrest, you have just minutes to begin CPR,” Baatz said. “Time is not on your side. A person trained in CPR and the use of an AED can make all the difference. You could be the person who saves a life.”

With the completion of training, each employee receives a certificate from the NSC. The training must be completed every two years to retain the certification, but Jaudon wants to incorporate yearly refresher training as well. 

“You really have to practice this to be effective,” he said. “It’s not like riding a bike. You have to know it inside and out.”

For her part, Baatz is looking forward to her role in training all members of the Sanford Lab team. 

“I am so thrilled that Sanford Lab is letting me teach this course,” she said. “It shows there is a real commitment to creating a culture of safety and it will benefit our whole community. That’s exciting.”

What employees and partners are saying about CPR training

The CPR and First Aid training was a great review after 2 years since my last training. Great to be brushed up on CPR, you never know when you might perform it. —Todd Hubbard

If a situation arises where someone needs help, I feel more prepared to take control and do the right thing. My dad is diabetic, so I really appreciated learning more about how to recognize the signs of diabetic shock. It was a great class. —Amelia Pearson

CPR and First Aid refresher training sessions are essential to keeping everyone proficient in these skills. You never know when an emergency can happen. This was my first session that included AED training. Such a simple system that’s user friendly and can save so many lives! —Syd DeVries

I learned how difficult it is to just go through just five rounds of CPR. I’m glad the whole staff is being trained in CPR and we will be able to rely on each other in case we ever need to use it. —Matt Kapust

The training was very informative and very useful.  Getting to practice on our own “resusci Andy” was so cool and a great workout! The hands on, interactive approach was the best way to learn and I retained so much information. I’m ready to save lives!! —Brooke Anderson

I had the good fortune to attend the First Aid / CPR training class. My previous employer expected management and hourly volunteers to attend such a class at least every other year. This type of training was not anything new to me. The training was very well organized and well presented. Laura Baatz knew her subject matter and kept everyone engaged at all times. Thanks for the opportunity to attend this training. Well done! —Jack Stratton

This course was well done and packed with helpful life-saving tools.  Knowing that my co-workers have these tools gives me great comfort in the event of a medical emergency in the workplace. — Julie Ewing

As we went through the training, many fellow employees shared stories about when they, or someone close to them, used this first response training in the past. Many times, it was their quick actions that saved a life. These consistent trainings keep these live-saving skills fresh in our minds, creating a community that is prepared to help in any circumstance. —Erin Broberg

Having basic First Aid, CPR and AED training not only prepares community to respond at work and home, it also adds knowledge of causes and preventive measures, thereby increasing the culture for continuous improvement of environmental, safety and health excellence. —Tom Regan

I felt the training was excellent and the examples/stories that Laura provide were relevant and added additional value to the class. —Pete Girtz

Some organizations proclaim, “our employees are the most valuable resource.”  SURF committed tangibles (time and money) into backing that up with this class. What we learned could make a difference someday whether someone can go home to their family. —David Rynders