Weekend CPR class among many offerings by certified instructor

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — According to the American Heart Association, cardiopulmonary resuscitation — more commonly known as CPR — can double or triple a person’s chance of survival after cardiac arrest. If enacted immediately, it is a crucial lifesaving measure, but takes a level of technique to perform successfully.

Warner Robins’ public had a chance to learn that technique over the weekend, at a community class held by Kelly CPR Services. Dorothy Kelly, the organization’s owner and instructor, taught the class, which extended past mitigating cardiac arrest and covered a multitude of emergencies.

Using a hands-on approach with dummies, Kelly taught techniques for CPR, stopping choking, use of a defibrillator and use of an EpiPen, broken down into methods tailor made for each age group of those who may need help.

“[We’re] making sure that everyone leaves with the knowledge and ability to perform that life saving technique, in times of an emergency,” Kelly explained.

Kelly admitted the weather put a damper on turnout, but still reported 30 attendees for the class. Additionally, some who couldn’t make it told her they would be interested in attending a class in the future.

At the end of the class, Kelly asked if attendees were comfortable performing life saving measures. If the answer is “no,” she will take extra time to answer questions and address concerns, ensuring that ultimately everyone is comfortable saying “yes.” Kelly reported a “yes” response from Saturday’s class.

Support from Kelly also extends beyond class time, as she explained.

“I also let them know that once they leave the class on class day, if they have any questions whatsoever, feel free to text, email or call me,” Kelly said.

For Kelly, teaching life saving measures to the public is crucial, speaking from experience. In 2018, she was in the position of saving a life herself, as her mother went into cardiac arrest.

“After everything was over, you kind of go into that room and cry your eyes out, but you’re very proud to have the opportunity to learn this technique and the opportunity to save this person,” Kelly said.

After saving her mother, she thought of who might also need help.

“Once I had saved my mother and done CPR on her, I sat back and I thought ‘there would have been so many people in this situation that would have not known what to do,’ and it’s very sad to watch a loved one. I’ve heard it so many times, ‘I didn’t know what to do,’ and that’s heartbreaking. That is why I started doing this,” Kelly said.

She continued to take care of her mother until she passed away in 2019, then starting teaching classes after becoming certified in 2020. She is currently AHA certified in Heartsaver courses and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support classes, catering to the general public and health professionals, respectively.

Kelly is also currently seeking certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support classes, adding that children are more than capable of learning CPR.

“They can help at school; they can help at home. You may say ‘they’re too little,’ no. If they are too small, they can get someone to help and show an adult how to do it,” Kelly said.

Overall, Kelly stressed the importance of learning CPR.

“This can mean the difference between life and death. If a person is in cardiac arrest, if you do not do CPR on them, there is zero chance that they will survive once EMS services arrive … I’ve had people tell me that if [they] had taken this class sooner, [they] could have saved [their] mom, could have saved [their] dad,” Kelly said.

Kelly’s next community class will be on May 13 in Madison, GA, however, setting up instruction for your group is only a phone call or email away. To contact Kelly directly, call or text (404) 229-7609 or email dvk234@yahoo.com. More information is also available on Kelly CPR Services’ website: kellycprservices.com.

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