John Paul II Catholic School’s Principles of Biomedical Science (PBS) class has officially completed its two-day CPR and AED certification training, gaining critical lifesaving skills and hands-on experience in emergency response. Led by Instructor Chief Lee Levesque, program specialist/firefighter/EMT with Beaufort County First Responders Program and Burton Fire District, this training is a cornerstone of Unit 3 in the PBS curriculum and offered students a chance to not only learn the science behind emergency procedures but to practice them with real-world accuracy.

“This training fits so well into our Emergency Response unit,” said PBS teacher Mrs. Andi Shaw. “But beyond curriculum alignment, it’s a vital life skill I hope our students never need—but are prepared to use.”

On the first day, students practiced hands-only and full CPR using manikins equipped with responsive lighting systems to indicate the accuracy of compressions. They learned that CPR is not about restarting the heart but about circulating the 3.5 liters of oxygenated blood remaining in the body to the brain. Students were taught to maintain a rhythm of 100 compressions per minute—humorously guided by the beat of the Bee Gees' "Stayin’ Alive."

The second day expanded into AED use, choking response, and CPR for children and infants. Using AED simulators, students learned that the device only delivers shocks in specific electrical disturbances—something bystanders cannot diagnose on sight. “Instructor Lee told the students an AED gives about a semi truck’s worth of electricity to the body,” Mrs. Shaw said. “That’s why it’s so important to make sure no one is touching the patient before pressing the shock button.”

Students also reviewed how to safely respond to choking victims. “People often jump to the Heimlich too quickly,” Mrs. Shaw explained. “If a person is coughing or wheezing, they’re still breathing. True choking means no air at all—no sound, blue lips, and wide eyes.”

For children (ages 1–12), students learned to use one hand for compressions, while infants required two fingers and a higher compression rate of 120 per minute—helped along by humming "Baby Shark." Instructor Lee shared personal stories from his 36-year career, including 29 infant CPR calls, 25 of which were successful. He emphasized the dangers of co-sleeping and encouraged safer room-sharing alternatives.

The final segment covered infant choking protocols, where students practiced cradling the baby's head securely, delivering 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts, and beginning CPR if the infant became unresponsive.

At the conclusion of the training, Lee offered words of encouragement: “I hope you never need to use this, but if you do, I hope you have the courage to act.”

Students will receive a two-year CPR/AED certification via email. Thanks to overwhelmingly positive feedback, CPR training will now be part of both PBS and Human Body Systems (HBS) courses going forward.