‘Every Beat Counts’ for Kilgore High School’s Health Science SkillsUSA chapter, and they’ve been on the beat the past month teaching life-saving skills to almost 1,000 adults and youngsters.
For CPR, the best beat is the Bee Gees “Stayin’ Alive,” the youngsters reminded Kilgore Lions Club members last week during their presentation on everything from how to perform chest compressions on adults, children and infants to using an Automated External Defibrillator or performing the Heimlich maneuver.
Under the supervision of KHS Health Science instructor and SkillsUSA advisor Cheyenne Kirkpatrick, the high schoolers offered their hands-on lessons during the 5th annual KHS Health Fair Jan. 22, dropped by Chandler Elementary for a visit with 2nd and 3rd graders Jan. 23 and taught their KHS senior peers Feb. 2.
The KHS SkillsUSA chapter includes almost 100 students, and there are almost 200 in the Health Science Career & Technical Education pathway.
“We want to be active and teach people,” Kirkpatrick said.
This evening is Freshman Preview Night for current 8th graders to get a sneak peek of high school, and current Health Science students will be on-hand to show the younger class the ropes.
As the life-saving lessons go, “We’ve been teaching CPR for several years,” Kirkpatrick said. The student-led presentation is available to anyone, free if it’s just an educational spotlight: “If you’re not getting your actual certification card, we’re not charging anything to do it. If anyone just wants to learn, we’re happy to teach them.”
It’s part of an active vs. reactive mindset the program cultivates in its health-focused participants.
“I don’t want anyone to have a situation where they need it and they have no idea,” Kirkpatrick added. “Knowing does not guarantee you’re going to save anyone, but knowing gives them a better chance to survive.”
For more information or to schedule a presentation, contact Kirkpatrick at ckirkpatrick@kisd.org.
