At Monday’s staff development, teachers and staff were trained in Hands-Only CPR. School nurse Rita Chavez-Riley, Health Science Technology teacher Kathryn Trevino, and other volunteers presented a short video from the American Heart Association, then asked staff to take turns practicing on  “Mini-Anne” mannequins.

Staff was preparing to oversee student training which will take place on Wednesday. Texas HB 897 requires all high school students to be trained in basic CPR before graduation. Westwood is piloting this new program for the district, according to Chavez.

On Wednesday, around PSAT testing, students will watch the video in groups and then practice chest compressions on the Mini-Anne dummies.

The AHA encourages everyone to at least learn how to do chest compressions even if they are not trained or certified to give full CPR including mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. According to the AHA, most people who experience cardiac arrest at home, work or in a public location die because they don’t receive immediate CPR from someone on the scene. Fear of “doing CPR wrong” keeps bystanders from helping, but the basic steps–calling 911 and doing chest compressions–can save someone’s life by keeping their blood flowing until medical professionals arrive.

Social Studies teacher Tim Bray practiced chest compressions on the dummy to make sure he could oversee students on Wednesday.

“It’s very useful training,” Bray said. “It reminds me of the training I received in high school.”

The AHA recommends doing chest compressions to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive,” which roughly replicates the timing of a normal heartbeat.