Residents of Wake Forest looking to empower themselves with lifesaving skills have a new opportunity. The Wake Forest Fire Department is now offering monthly CPR classes at the Northern Wake Senior Center, located at 235 E. Holding Ave. Whether it's a heartfelt response to alarming statistics or a community's commitment to well-being, these classes provide critical training in a time when, according to the American Heart Association, over 350,000 people suffer from sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospitals annually in the U.S.
For those interested in attending, classes are available in two lengths. A four-hour session from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. will to quickly teach attendees CPR and the correct application of an automated external defibrillator (AED). An extended seven-hour class from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. covers CPR, AED usage, and basic first aid. These sessions are not just a lesson in procedure, but a deep dive into the body's precarious perch between life and the dark beyond.
As reported by the Wake Forest official website, the cost for these classes is a flat $35 per person. This fee includes earning American Heart Association CPR Certification upon successful completion of the class. Pre-registration is required, and unfortunately for those outside the area, only those with a Wake Forest address can enroll. The scheduled class dates run through December, with the upcoming sessions on May 24, June 7, July 26, August 16, September 27, October 18, November 22, and December 20.
