TESTIMONIAL

Letter from a student 
Hello there Giovanni….you were the instructor for our CPR class here at XXXXX in July of this year. Having learned that CPR was evolving to more of a chest compression protocol I enrolled in your class with several of my coworkers. As a laryngectomee (neck breather) I am unable to perform mouth to mouth procedures so I was anxious to learn I could perhaps be of benefit in the unlikely event an emergency arose.  Well two weeks ago today I accompanied a friend and coworker (who had also attended your class) for an afternoon of skeet shooting. Midway through our shooting round my friend collapsed with absolutely no warning, eyes open, no breathing, no pulse, essentially dead. I will never be able to express the feelings that were running through me but fortunately the instruction you provided in our class just seemed to take over.  I began chest compressions “midway at nipple line” at the pace of 100 per minute. Fortunately others were now realizing what was happening and came to assist.  While giving compressions I cannot really communicate, but they called 911 and relayed information to us. The range did not have an AED so we continued with compressions, rotating turns until the paramedics arrived. I estimate a good 15 minutes had elapsed since the incident initially occurred. The paramedics took over the scene, units form both XXXXX and XXXXX. XXXXX had no pulse, they used their AED and secured an airway, started IV’s…all the scary stuff. After another 10 minutes or more they were ready to transport him. They had to use the AED again enroute to the hospital as well as begin a procedure to lower his body temperature. By the time I arrived at the hospital they had already place stents in the left artery that was completely occluded. XXXXX spent over a week in intensive care, most of that in a coma. Well the good news is I talked to him yesterday, called him at home in fact. That is why I’m writing to you, who could have possibly guessed that your training would directly impact two of your students in the same class?  The two old guys of course!  Thank you Giovanni for being such a clear, concise and impactful instructor. I heard your words in my mind as I knelt beside my friend and did what I learned to help him…”don’t stop”…”something is better than nothing”…I may have been helping XXXXX but I swear you were there helping me. I tell everyone I talk to “ take a CPR class, bad stuff really happens and it can happen to you”. I’m sure glad I did.
Warm regards
XXXXX
(Names and company information omitted for privacy)