Middle schoolers learn CPR

“One, two, three, four,” teacher Anna Gradek said, helping her students find the rhythm of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Girls in one of Patton Middle School’s P.E. classes leaned forward over CPR dummies — inflated head and torso models calls “Mini Anns” — and pressed. One, two, three, four, each proper push rewarded with a beep.

“How many times per minute?” Gradek asked.

“One hundred!” students told her, some grunting a bit with exertion.

Most of Patton’s seventh- and eighth-graders are learning CPR. The American Red Cross, in partnership with Ross Dress for Less, donated 10 inflatable practice dummies and an instructional DVD for the course.

The goal is to train as many people as possible in hands-only CPR. No rescue breathing, just chest compressions, which can play a critical role in saving the life of someone who collapses from a heart attack, a shock or other life-threatening problem.

Gradek also touches on the use of an automated defibrillator.

Patton has three of them, located at various parts of the building. Most students are surprised to learn that, but are pleased, too.

They’re also happy to be learning CPR. It will help with babysitting, Kaytia Erickson and Emily Oravetz said.

Klooster's Clusters

Karl Klooster is the associate editor of the Oregon Wine Press and writes a wine column for the News-Register in McMinnville. He became professionally involved with wine in 1972.

Others, such as Hannah Meithof and Madison Highley, said they are happy to practice with the Mini Ann dummies rather than trying CPR for the first time during a crisis. That’s why Gradek wants them to take her class.

“The whole point is just to get them comfortable with it,” she said.

“The biggest reason people don’t do CPR is they’re afraid they’ll do it wrong,” she explained. “I want them to feel ready in an emergency.”