The Principles of Biomedical Science (PBS) class at John Paul II Catholic School has kicked off its two-day CPR/AED certification training, aligning perfectly with Unit 3 of their curriculum focused on emergency response. Led by Chief Lee Levesque, program specialist/firefighter/EMT with Beaufort County First Responders Program and Burton Fire District, students learned the science and urgency behind CPR and AED use, while receiving hands-on practice with real-time feedback.

“This is such a valuable skill to have, and it fits beautifully into our Emergency Response unit,” said PBS teacher Andi Shaw. “Our students are learning not just how to respond, but why every second matters.”

Chief Lee began the session with startling statistics: someone’s heart stops every nine seconds, and in the U.S., CPR is initiated in only 8 out of 100 cases—putting our country near the bottom globally. In contrast, Sweden leads with 78 out of 100 and requires all students to learn CPR before graduating.

Students learned that when the heart stops, about 3.5 liters of oxygenated blood remains in the body. “CPR doesn’t restart the heart,” Mrs. Shaw explained. “It’s about getting that oxygen-rich blood to the brain before irreversible damage occurs—usually within 4 to 6 minutes.”

The training included both hands-only CPR and CPR with breaths. In both cases, students practiced delivering 100 compressions per minute and learned the importance of not stopping compressions for more than 10 seconds. To maintain the proper rhythm, students were encouraged to hum the Bee Gees’ classic “Stayin’ Alive.”

They also gained familiarity with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), learning how it detects electrical issues in the heart and advises whether a shock is needed. “Even if the AED doesn’t call for a shock, it helps guide the rescuer through compressions,” Mrs. Shaw added.

Students practiced the full response process—from checking responsiveness to delivering chest compressions and breaths—on manikins equipped with lights to monitor depth and speed. “They did a fantastic job,” Mrs. Shaw said proudly. “You could really see their confidence grow as they practiced.”

The day concluded with four key reminders for performing CPR:

• Have the courage to help
• Call 911
• Push deep
• Push fast

The final session, scheduled for April 9, will cover choking response and CPR for infants and children. Upon completion, all students will be officially CPR/AED certified.