Missouriar - Springfield: First responders again offering free CPR training in February

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~ Springfield Runner Gets Second Chance at Life Thanks to CPR-Trained Bystanders

In 2014, Gretchen Cliburn of Springfield was given a second chance at life thanks to the quick actions of CPR-trained bystanders. Cliburn, an avid runner, had collapsed during a race and was saved by two fellow runners who performed CPR until paramedics arrived.

Cliburn recalls the day as a "gorgeous" one, with nothing out of the ordinary happening. She was running with her friend and partner Kathryn and they were ahead of schedule, enjoying the race. However, at mile marker 9 of the half marathon, Cliburn suddenly collapsed without warning.

"The last thing I remember is crossing mile marker 9 and telling Kathryn that we needed to slow down," Cliburn said. "The next thing she heard was the sound of my body hitting the pavement."

Cliburn had suffered a cardiac arrest and did not have a pulse. Thankfully, two other runners who she refers to as "angels" began performing CPR and called 911. They continued until paramedics arrived and were able to defibrillate her heart back into beating. She was then transported to a Springfield hospital where she underwent advanced cardiac procedures while in a medically induced coma.

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Her prognosis ranged from never waking up from the coma to making a full recovery. Cliburn considers herself extremely fortunate that day because of the people who were there with her and performed CPR until EMS arrived.

In celebration of American Heart Month, the Springfield Fire Department, CoxHealth EMS, and Mercy EMS will be providing free hands-only CPR training on four Saturdays in February. The training will take place at two different times each Saturday: 1-2 p.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m.

According to medical professionals, early application of bystander CPR and rapid defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator (AED) are crucial in improving a person's chance of surviving sudden cardiac arrest. This is why the training is being offered to the public, with the hope that more people will be equipped with the skills to save a life in an emergency.

Participants are also encouraged to download the free PulsePoint Respond app, which is connected to 911 and notifies CPR-trained individuals of cardiac arrests in their vicinity. The app also alerts users of the closest available AED.

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Fire Chief David Pennington believes that PulsePoint is a powerful tool that can increase survival rates of cardiac arrest in the community. He also notes that it provides important information for emergency responders and can improve overall communication and coordination between neighboring jurisdictions.

Years after her own experience, Cliburn continues to advocate for CPR training and encourages everyone she knows to get trained and download the PulsePoint app. She believes that anyone could be in a position to give someone else a second chance at life.

Registration for the free hands-only CPR training is encouraged but not required. Interested individuals can visit https://www.springfieldmo.gov/cpr to reserve their spot. The training will take place on four different Saturdays at various locations throughout Springfield.

As Cliburn's story shows, being trained in CPR can make all the difference in an emergency situation. With this training now available in the Ozarks and with the added support of the PulsePoint app, more lives can potentially be saved by bystanders who are willing to step up and help when needed.

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