Their Heart's In The Right Place: Quogue Police Teach Local Kids CPR Technique

One could say that the Quogue Village Police Department has the best interests of Quogue School’s pupils at heart. Literally.

Last week, department representatives offered children from prekindergarten to sixth grade training in Hands-Only CPR, showing them how to assist someone who is suffering a cardiac event.

Police spokesman Lieutenant Daniel Hartman explained that Hands-Only CPR training teaches the children how to position their hands and body to perform chest compressions. Students in fifth and sixth grade understand the science: that pushing on the chest manually contracts the heart and allows blood to flow around the body even if the heart isn’t beating.

Using compact, collapsible CPR dummies allows the instructors to get a number of students engaged at the same time. Less unwieldy that the large versions, the portable dummies still have the same feel as a human chest and, said Hartman, are just as difficult to press as a real chest. “They’re pretty lifelike,” he said.

According to the American Heart Association, about 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. Hands-Only CPR is an easy, effective way for any bystander, especially if they act immediately, to double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.

AHA’s CPR and first aid website, cpr.heart.org, notes that sometimes just two steps will save a life: calling 911 and starting compressions.

“The biggest thing we do with the kids,” Hartman said, “is ask them, ‘How do you get hold of us?’” Students respond by shouting out, ‘911!’ They love that.”

“Even our youngest students in pre-K participate in this training, so that by the time they get to fourth, fifth or sixth grade, they are well versed and able to really help someone in need,” School District Superintendent Jeffrey E. Ryvicker said.

Hands-Only CPR was one of several activities planned for “Keep the Screen Off Week” at the school, Ryvicker said. Students and staff are encouraged to limit screen time by engaging in activities that support their physical and emotional well-being.

The training is just one of the many ways that the Quogue Village Police Department supports the students and families of the school, the superintendent said. “Their daily presence provides all members of our school community with a tremendous sense of comfort, safety, and security. We feel very fortunate to have such a close working relationship with all members of the Quogue Village Police Department.”

“We couldn’t ask for a better relationship, “ Hartman added. “The kids are all very familiar with us and super happy to see us. Anytime we can interact and make a lasting impression while teaching a life skill, that’s a win-win.”