Learn CPR before the River Bandits game
Take me out to the ballgame and learn CPR at the same time. That’s the pitch being delivered by organizers of this year’s CPR Saturday event which has been moved to a new date and location.
Long-held in February, this year’s event will be held June 6 at Modern Woodmen Park, prior to the scheduled River Bandits game. The event is coordinated by Eastern Iowa Community College District (EICCD) with the help of several local agencies.
“This is the 13th year for CPR Saturday and we thought it was time to change things up a bit,” said EICCD Health Coordinator Dawn Hamilton. “The idea of doing it prior to a River Bandits game, during the summer, just seemed like a lot of fun. We’re hoping we can reach people we haven’t in the past.”
Hamilton said the training will be done in the outfield at the stadium, beginning at 5 p.m. The training video will be shown on the stadium’s large video screen. The event is free of charge.
“The River Bandits have been great to work with,” she said. “We expect the team mascot, Rascal, to be on hand and are hoping that a couple of the players might even join us.
Over the years, CPR Saturday has trained hundreds of area residents on how to save a life. Organizers are hoping 100 or more will be added to that list on June 6.
“It’s not difficult to learn and only takes a half hour of a person’s time to participate,” Hamilton said. “In return they’ll learn how to save someone’s life.”
As an added incentive, a number of take-home CPR kits will be given away as door prizes. The kits fit into a box that is just slightly larger than a telephone book. They can be used by participants to train others in their family, babysitters or anyone else who would like to learn CPR.
Pre-registration is requested so that enough materials and instructors will be available for everyone. Participants can register by calling Eastern Iowa Community College, 563-441-4100 or toll free1-888-336-3907.
In addition to EICCD, other sponsors include: Genesis, Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, American Red Cross, Palmer Chiropractic Clinics, American Heart Association, Davenport Fire Department and Medic EMS.