OKC Fire Department offers free CPR training classes in July

You can learn how to perform hands-only CPR coming up at the end of July, and it’s all thanks to free classes being offered by the Oklahoma City Fire Department at different metro libraries.

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — You can learn how to perform hands-only CPR coming up at the end of July, and it’s all thanks to free classes being offered by the Oklahoma City Fire Department at different metro libraries.

Any area resident can attend the classes. The class on July 22 is in Spanish at the Capitol Hill Library, July 25 is at the Northwest Library and July 26 is at the Belle Isle Library.

"100 to 120 compressions per minute,” Capt. Meredith Herman said, while performing CPR on a mannequin.

It seems simple, but Herman said CPR is something most people don’t even know how to do.

"Prompt CPR performed in the event of cardiac arrest really increases the likelihood of survival significantly,” she said.

With three classes coming up at the end of the month, Herman said it’s a great opportunity to learn the lifesaving technique for free.

"In 2010, the protocol was changed and mouth to mouth is no longer required to do CPR,” she said. “So it makes it much more accessible."

People 13-years-old and up can practice on mannequins by pushing with two hands in the center of the chest. A common teaching point is pressing to the beat of popular songs like “Another One Bites the Dust” or “Staying Alive.”

"Oxygenating the blood is helping with the organs in the brain to stay alive and reduces the risk of brain death,” Herman said.

According to Herman, they’ve had a recent uptick in drowning calls too, which is a big reason for everyone to know CPR. She said anytime is good to know it though, because you never know when you may have to act.

"There's many opportunities that you can be presented with throughout your life,” she said.

You do have to register for the classes. For class registration and more details click here, or use the QR code on their flyer attached above.

Herman said they also offer other classes that involve learning how to seal up wounds and the operation of fire extinguishers.