The New Jersey Wing’s Twin Pine Composite Squadron expanded its emergency services capabilities Nov. 24 through American Heart Association first aid, CPR, and automated external defibrillator (AED) training for with 23 cadets, five adult members, and five parents.
Lead trainer Joe Fylnn and assistant instructor Drew Kintzel focused on CPR for three age groups — adult, child, and infant. After learning the basics of the procedure and the signs indicating potential cardiac arrest, the trainees used their new skills on CPR manikins that measured pace, compression depth, compression rate, and chest compression fraction.
The cadets and adults also received instruction in administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. They were provided face shields and learned to breathe five times into the mouth until the manikin’s chest rose, indicating successful resuscitation.
Instructors Flynn and Kintzel also discussed automated external defibrillators, which aid individuals going into cardiac arrest by delivering a controlled electric shock to the heart, potentially restoring normal rhythm. The participants used practice AED kits to deliver simulated shocks to the manikins.
The participants performed the three exercises together, reflecting the approach to an actual life-or-death situation — first assessing the patient, determining the need for CPR, and performing 30 chest compressions, followed by five mouth-to-mouth breaths and then returning to compressions until arrival of an AED.
Wrapping up the course was multifaceted training in first aid, including basics, duties and key steps, medical emergencies, injury emergencies, environmental emergencies, prevention strategies, illness and injury prevention, and legal questions.
The training provided is a vital component of Ground Team Member 3 qualification, aligning with the goal 1st Lt. Nicholas B. Kunchnady, squadron commander, has set to increase emergency services certification among Twin Pine members._____Cadet Tech. Sgt. Divjot KaurTwin Pine Composite SquadronNew Jersey Wing
