2,000 learn to save lives in Viera

Operation CPR offers rescue basics

VIERA — Iveth Nunez works at the Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, where she is required to be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and sees the benefits of the life-saving technique.

Nunez covered the bases in CPR basics with her family Saturday morning near her workplace, joining a crowd of about 2,000 people on the outfield of Space Coast Stadium for Health First's "Operation Civilians Prepared to Respond."

Operation CPR offered a short, effective and free session in CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator, AED. Nunez said she couldn't pass up the chance to get such training for her 13-year-old daughter, Shailine, and Nunez's two nephews, Eric Gibbons, 9, and Maurice Gibbons, 15.

"My daughter is at home with me when I'm baybsitting and I wanted her and my nephews to know what to do in case of an emergency," said Nunez, a medical support assistant.

"I have to stay up-to-date in training and I know how important this is."

Health First's third-annual CPR training event shared new guidelines that make the breaths-and-compression technique easier than it's ever been, the crowd was told.

While the event was intended to educate residents on how to perform CPR, official certification can be obtained through courses offered by Health First and the American Red Cross.

But those gathered took matters seriously, despite '70s disco music that attendees were advised to keep in mind as they did compressions and the rampant jokes about being surrounded by dummies.

Health First volunteers assisted attendees, from school and church groups to large and small families and individuals, throughout the training.

Just three years ago, the first session drew about 125 people.

Mike Means, Health First president and CEO, told Saturday's huge crowd they are a "tremendous help in Health First's mission to make Brevard County a healthy, safer and better place to live and work and raise a family."

Hundreds of families, who received money-saving coupons, Brevard Manatees tickets and T-shirts for attending, agreed. As "Stayin' Alive" played over the speaker system, Chris and Tami Fung of Viera took seats beside adult-size and baby-size CPR dummies.

The Fungs, who are members of the Health First gym, learned about the training through e-mail and thought it would be good for the entire family. So they brought their children, Katelyn, 4, and Connor, 2, along for the hour's worth of activity and instruction.

As Chris Fung placed his hands on a dummy to practice compressions, Katelyn crouched in front of him and put her small hands on the dummy's chest, too.

A volunteer watched, saying, "Good job," as dad and daughter worked together.

"We want the children to know to call 9-1-1 if there's an emergency and be able to help someone if we can, too," Tami Fung said.

Contact Kennerly at 321-409-1423 or bkennerly@floridatoday.com.