WHITMORE LAKE, Mich. — Our bass club is always looking for interesting things to do to keep our members involved. We came up with an interesting topic. The members of the Michigan Bass Anglers took a Hands Only CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) class in 2013 as part of an effort to improve our skills and maybe someday save another angler's or someone else’s life in an emergency.
Four classes were held over two weekends. Our members and all of their family members were invited to attend the class at the Northfield Township Fire Department in Whitmore Lake, Michigan. We trained a total of 37 people during the four classes.
A lot of our members were at one or another of the classes. Some of our members already have the CPR training through their job or another resource, so they are already prepared.
This class had been in the works for some time. We have been discussing having a CPR class for everyone because we all have come across an emergency at one point or another, either while on the water of just out and around. Our club president is retired from the Fire and EMS service and has had a lot of experience over the years with actually having to perform CPR on hundreds of people over his career.
Chris Bishop, Deputy Chief at the Northfield Township FD, was gracious enough to organize and instruct all four classes. The classes were a big success. Everyone learned how to perform the newest and simplified “Hands Only CPR” modeled after the American Heart Association's class. We had members of all ages at the class. Everyone from our youngest ones (6 years old) up to our most seasoned members received training. We served lunch between the classes as well. Every member who attended even got 10 points toward Angler of the Year.
We want to challenge every other club to take this and encourage every club to contact the American Heart Association about doing one of these classes. It only takes a few hours and with all of us getting older, who knows? It might save your life someday.