CAY HILL--St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) recently provided basic life support training for the Royal Marines from the Netherlands. Nineteen Marines completed a one-day course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
The Dutch Marines have been present on the island since the passing of Hurricane Irma. A recent group received their CPR training from SMMC in addition to further medical training provided by the Marine Combat Life Savers.
The CPR course was held at National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA). The course instructors were SMMC Education Instructor and Patient Care Manager Antonio Pantophlet, and Intensive Care Unit Assistant Supervisor Corwin James, assisted by Intensive Care Nurse Frank Bannis and Critical Care Nurse Rafael Antoine.
All instructors are certified trainers by the American Heart Association in CPR and basic life support (BLS).
“The trainers were very skilled in CPR and were able to transfer their knowledge quite well, in conjunction with the video modules,” said First Lieutenant Gielings.
CPR training equips the Marines with the skills needed to recognise life-threatening emergencies, give high-quality chest compressions, deliver appropriate ventilations and provide early use of an automated external defibrillators (AED). During the eight-hour class, the Marines learned how to conduct adult CPR through simulated clinical scenarios and learning stations. This was done through close work with the instructors to complete BLS skills practice and skills testing.
“As marines, we think CPR is very important, both in work and personal time. In work CPR may be necessary after a [combat related – Ed.] injury. The more marines are able to provide high quality CPR, the better. In personal life, you wouldn’t want to find a family member or a friend in need of CPR while you don’t know what to do. This training can save their life,” stated Gielings on Tuesday.
All participants passed their final examinations. Their certification is valid for two years.
