It’s time to pump some life into your skillset because February is American Heart Month, and heart disease isn’t backing down, especially in Minnesota where it’s the grim runner-up on the list of top killers, per the Minnesota Department of Health. Bloomington Public Health isn’t sitting idle, instead, they’re arming folks with the power to make a difference during a cardiac crisis through their hands-on CPR training sessions.

The life-saving courses offered cover not just the essential chest compressions that could keep a heart thumping after it stops but also dive into how to handle automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and the ins and outs of dealing with a potentially fatal blocked airway, training so crucial because when those chest-clutching moments hit, it’s not just about saving a life, it’s about keeping a cool head which these sessions emphasize to ensure participants can stay controlled and maintain safety for all involved.

Amanda Lemke, emergency preparedness specialist, passionately shared with Bloomington Public Health, “I want to help community members realize their ability to step up in an emergency situation and hopefully save someone’s life.” She also observed the profound effect CPR training has on individuals, saying, “I can see the impact on those we train in CPR; they’ll be able to do it in the community, and our community will be safer for it.”

If your heart’s in the right place and you want to get in on this life-preserving action, book your spot pronto; it’s a no-brainer, just pop over to the Bloomington Public Health website and look for the 'next community training' link, remember you've got to register ahead of time because they can’t teach you to save a life if you’re not in the room. The classes may be hands-on, but taking them could mean your hands won’t be tied the next time a heartbeat skips.