North Building commuters will notice that CPR season is in full swing as Ms. Alisa May is breaking out the CPR dummies and latex gloves for this year’s freshman health classes. From December 13 to January 14, ninth grade students will be busy at work learning the basics of how to save a life. CPR, or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is a lifesaving technique used to keep the blood flowing through the body to the brain and other vital organs.

The students will learn how to help unconscious and conscious victims through CPR and the use of AED’s (Automated External Defibrillators). Breathing techniques will still be taught, but students are not required to participate if they are not comfortable with the specific practice. Students will receive two year certification upon passing the regulated CPR Test.

Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States and AEDs are very commonplace in most buildings. For every minute a heart is stopped, victims have a 10% less chance of survival. “With what we are teaching the kids, they’ll hopefully be quick in response to a situation.” Ms. May said. Benilde-St. Margaret’s values life and the knowledge of how to save one, which is why freshman are required to take the course of CPR.