Various Westwood clubs and organizations such as Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) volunteered at Spooktacular, an annual Halloween event hosted by NW YMCA, on Saturday, Oct. 28. AVID students were stations around the event to aid in passing out candy and assist in booths such as face painting, while HOSA members taught compression only CPR to children to spread knowledge of this skill.

“It’s through small events like this where you can really help the community raise more awareness of important, health related things like CPR, which they have the power to do themselves,” Westwood HOSA President Persephone Tian ‘18 said.

HOSA members set up an area among the festive booths to give an introduction to CPR. Volunteers first demonstrated the correct compression method on CPR dummies, and participants were encouraged to follow suit. A click from each compression on the CPR dummies would indicate when proper technique was used. Attendees of all ages were encouraged to practice this vital skill, and earned candy for their efforts.

“CPR is an important skill for kids to have because you never know when they may be home alone with a parent and need to know to call 911 and how to save a life,” HOSA Sponsor Stacy Germany said. “It’s important for HOSA to teach teach kids to know life-saving skills.”