No more ventilation. It’s all about the compressions. And it's the new procedure for Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, that is recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA).

Area residents gathered during the weekend for a course in CPR training presented by the Richland County Ambulance Service at the Sidney Health Center, learning the new method as they get certified.

“It’s quite a bit easier,” service director and paramedic Josh King said. “After 13 years, I still have a lot of difficulty doing it [the old way].” Easier is a good thing, because 80 percent of Americans are expected to do CPR some time in their lives. Before, CPR required both compressions and then breathing into the person. Today, AHA officials say it’s best to keep the blood moving to all the vital organs – the brain, heart, kidneys, liver and lungs – and that means to continuously do compressions on the chest and to the beat of “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees or the new AHA slogan “Push Hard and Push Fast.” Much of what was taught was centered around the idea that if the general public knows what to do in life-threatening situations, those persons needing the help will have a much better chance at survival. Some of what people should know are the basics to calling 911 and reporting what’s happening so that first responders and paramedics have a better understanding of what’s going on.

“The more information we know coming on to the scene allows us to do our jobs better,” King said. A few vital information that dispatch should know include the number and condition of the patients, the number calling from and description of the scene.

Dummies were handed to the students to practice compressions in groups as first responders from the ambulance service Ben Sorteberg, Becca Todd and Mo O’Mara gave over-the-shoulder advice. O'Mara is one of many who believe the CPR training course is important for the public. “It’s really scary when you see someone go down and you can't help,” she said. Not knowing is said to be the greatest regret when emergency crews get on the scene.

The ambulance service teaches CPR along with using Automated External Defibrillators, which are considered “fool proof.” These devices deliver a shock to the patient's heart without much effort from those who aren’t medical professionals. King and his crew have been working to get AEDs into several buildings in the area.

“We’ve hand picked these and suggested that they be used,” he said. “We really wanted to get one that was reliable.” The ones located in various buildings in the county are top rated and can shock children and adults. Never use on anyone less than 1. With early CPR and AED, a person has a 20 percent chance to survive compared to 0-2 percent without anything and 2-8 percent with early CPR and delayed defibrillation.

Also in the curriculum was the Heimlich Maneuver practiced on infant and adult dummies. If a person’s airway is partially obstructed allow them to try to clear their airway on their own. Most times they can usually clear it on their own, however, if they start to look weak, then it's time to make the call for help and perform the Heimlich Maneuver or back blows for children.

Reasons for the students’ participation varied. Some were Extended Care workers, others were starting baby sitting businesses, another works in the oil field. Still others were there because it was about time. It’d been at least 20 years since Dr. Fran Corner, a chiropractor in Williston, N.D., had taken a training. He heard things had changed since then and knew the class was good to take. “You just never know when you might be needing it,” he said.

The training is offered about once every other month and to all demographics and professions. Knowing CPR and implementing it helps responders have a better chance at resuscitation. “Not everyone you’re going to do CPR on is going to survive, but at least you gave them a chance,” he said.

reporter@sidneyherald.com