By DAWN BONE / Community Columnist

The health science program from the Shelby County Schools College and Career Center partnered with the AJROTC program at Vincent Middle/High School to offer American Heart Association CPR certification to all students enrolled in the AJROTC classes.

This was the third year health science students set up stations and practiced with the Vincent students to prepare them for their actual test.

Students not only learned the Heimlich for infants and adults, but they also learned how to respond to cardiac and respiratory emergencies.

This also included the use of the automated external defibrillators (AED). By the end of their class period, the AJROTC students were able to take the CPR certification exam administered by the health science teacher and registered nurse Marcy Campbell and SSGT James York from the Air National Guard, with assistance from local EMT and graduate of Vincent High School, Jud George.

By the end of the day, over 140 students took and passed this exam. Students who passed the CPR and AED certification exam will receive a certification card from BREMSS.

The class provided a comprehensive set of skills that may enable the students to save a life.

“Mrs. Campbell’s health science students were focused, efficient and professional,” Maj. Stanley Murrell from Vincent High School said. “This collaborative effort was exciting for our students.”

AJROTC student Hannah Crowder, AJROTC student said the CPR training course through JROTC was “incredible.”

“Throughout the whole week we had videos and then hands-on practice with the training manikins,” Crowder said. “I’ll admit I was nervous, and even more so when I came to class on Friday and saw members of the CCC’s nursing program there to test us.

“They were super helpful and encouraging, especially the head coordinator, Mrs. Marcy Campbell,” Crowder continued. “She administered my test and made me feel as peaceful and calm as could be when I came to her station to be tested on an adult manikin. The CCC is doing wonderful things with their students, and with Mrs. Campbell as their leader, I cannot wait to see what amazing medical feats they are going to accomplish. One thing is for sure – I’d trust my life in their hands, and through them and my JROTC instructors, I feel prepared for the moment I might have to save a life.”

Nyla Booth, a CCC health science student from Montevallo High School, said she had a great experience working with another school and teach them a procedure that is commonly used.

All students learned valuable skills at this collaborative event. While the JROTC students were able to get certified in CPR and AED, the health science students learned how to communicate and teach their peers the things they are learning in their health science classes.