Ohio Hi-Point Career Center is preparing all senior students for emergencies by certifying them in Heartsaver CPR AED Training. The certification, provided through the American Heart Association, is facilitated by Mary Rutan Hospital, the affiliated training center.
Instructors from OHP’s Health Careers Academy, Exercise Science, and EMT programs, along with the district’s School Resource Officer (SRO), lead the training sessions. These sessions cover essential life-saving skills, including adult CPR, AED use, choking response, water safety, and opioid safety. Training groups consist of 50 students at a time, with all 325 seniors expected to complete the program by the end of the year. Additionally, OHP’s satellite students enrolled in Allied Health and Nursing programs also complete CPR/AED training, with over 500 students in satellite programs gaining certification.
“This training is a vital life skill,” said Megan Lacher, a Health Careers Academy instructor and one of the CPR trainers. “Knowing CPR and First Aid can make the difference between life and death in an emergency.”
“Cardiac arrest can happen at any moment,” added Drew Going, EMT instructor and CPR trainer. “The more individuals trained and ready to help, the better the chances of survival. Studies show that immediate CPR can significantly improve outcomes.”
The course uses a practice-while-watching technique, where students view video instruction while instructors review, guide skill development, and provide feedback.
Students work in pairs to test their skills on dummies equipped with feedback devices, which ensure that CPR is being performed at the correct depth and rate. One student performs CPR, while the other administers the AED. After completing the tasks, they switch roles.
Upon successful completion of the course, students receive a certification card, valid for two years.