Source: Carol Kennedy, 785-532-6595, carolk@k-state.edu
Thursday, March 26, 2009
LAFENE HEALTH CENTER OFFERING CPR TRAINING TO K-STATE STUDENTS
MANHATTAN -- Under a new agreement with Manhattan's Mercy Regional Health Center and the American Heart Association, Kansas State University's Lafene Health Center will now offer CPR certification to K-State students.
The opportunity to partner with Mercy Regional Health Center is timely because of the recent implementation of the American Heart Association's e-learning program, according to Lannie Zweimiller, director of Lafene Health Center.
"This cooperative effort between Lafene Health Center and Mercy Regional Health Center will enable K-State students to receive timely and accessible training, as well as fulfill the American Heart Association's goal to increase CPR training within the community," Zweimiller said. CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
The heart association's e-learning courses are accessed at http://www.onlineaha.org
"We decided to implement this CPR training program at Lafene because e-learning readily meets the learning styles of K-State students today," said Carol Kennedy, CPR instructor and training site coordinator at the K-State health center. "Many students appreciate online learning as it is conducive to their hectic schedules."
The online learning combined with the practice and skills testing available at Lafene will enable participants to compete their certification process at their own pace, Kennedy said. Typically, the online portion can be completed in two to three hours, she said, while the practice and skills testing session is expected to be completed in an hour. Lafene Health Center will provide sessions for the following American Heart Association courses: Heartsaver CPR, AED, First Aid and Health Care Provider CPR.
For the online training, students select which course they want to complete on the American Heart Association's e-learning Web site. When they complete the online program, students then contact Lafene for an appointment for the practice and skills testing session. Students have 60 days to complete the practice and skills testing session after completing the online program.
"During the appointment, students practice and test their skills in a comfortable, low stress environment," said Theresa Doyle, a Lafene CPR instructor. "Even though the online portion is independent learning, the practice and skills testing session can be completed with a friend."
The fee charged for the online portion is determined by the heart association and varies per course. Students who participate in skills testing at Lafene Health Center will be charged $25. As appointment time permits, K-State faculty and staff also will be eligible to complete CPR certification through Lafene for $35. More information is available online at http://www.k-state.edu/lafene/cpr.htm or by calling 785-532-6595.
