Juan Diego students learn life saving techniques

DRAPER — The students, teachers, and faculty, at Juan Diego Catholic High School and St. John the Baptist Middle and Elementary Schools are in good hands if they suddenly go into cardiac arrest, are found unconscious, choking or have an airway obstruction. At least 300 students, teachers, faculty, and parent volunteers were trained and certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and in using the Automated External Defibrillators (AED).

Mary Jo Duing, St. John the Baptist Middle and Elementary School lead nurse, taught the four-hour classes to the pre-med club, three junior health classes each semester, and a weekend class for faculty, staff, and parents. She will train 90 more juniors next semester in the health classes.

"In the United States this year, an average of 25 youth will get hit in the chest by a baseball or lacrosse ball, which will stop their hearts and put them in sudden cardiac arrest," said Duing. "But 7,000 youth per year, mostly middle and high school students, will collapse and die from an undiagnosed cardiac abnormality without prior symptoms.

"Our very first class was Jan. 25, 2005, so we have been doing this for a year," said Duing. "My goal was to train at least 200, so I am so happy I met my goal and then some. We have four AED stations throughout the Skaggs Catholic Center."

Duing said talking about sudden cardiac arrest it is not an easy subject because people can get emotional, so she tries to incorporate a little laughter to lighten it up a little bit so they are not so frightened by the topic. She shows a one-hour movie, and then trains the individuals in CPR and in using the AED.

Duing had five CPR instructors who assisted her in the training, and was able to have five stations of training going on at one time using infant, child, and adult mannequins. She said she spent quite a bit of time on infant and child choking because it is so important to know what to do in these emergencies.

"I have been in this job for seven years now, and before coming here I was a flight nurse for a smaller hospital in Durango, Colo. Emergency and cardiac arrest were my background," said Duing. "From that background, I know having the right tool for the job is important. I always felt so hopeless knowing the statistics of child sudden cardiac arrest, and I was always so worried something was going to happen and we would not be prepared.

Duing said about four or five years ago the price of an AED was dropped and the units became affordable. She felt the campus should have one available. An AED representative said with the size of the campus they needed at least four stations.

"We have so many sporting events on this campus over the weekends, that it is necessary," said Duing. "The problem is they cannot be locked because there is a reverse liability, but the risk of having them stolen is also a problem. The model we purchased requires a prescription, and a medical advisor. Our medical advisor is Dr. Theresa Gourde, who is a parent at our school. The model we purchased is durable and waterproof, and comes with a training video and everything you need."

Duing said this project became possible as a result of Dave Simpson, CEO of the campus finance committee, and Bob Mutz, St. John the Baptist advancement director. These two men helped Duing pursue the issue and get it approved and implemented. Duing recruited some of her friends who are also nurses and parents at the schools who agreed to help with training. The project saved the finance committee a lot of money because CPR training can cost from $24 to $40 per person.

Caryn Ketcham, Juan Diego health teacher, said before the students take the CPR/AED classes they study nutrition and exercise, which puts it all into perspective. She said the students were excited about becoming certified.