Free CPR Training in Marion, Iowa: Save Lives With Life-Saving Skills

When I joined the fire department, it was to ride in the ambulance. Most volunteers wanted to fight a fire and ride the engine or ladder truck.

I had all my fire classes, because Montgomery County Fire/Rescue provided excellent training, but emergency medical services was the calling.  Speaking of calling, some days it seemed like everyone was calling 911, and that was a good thing—I'll tell you why.

Does First Aid Make a Difference?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) was not all that far from the fire station where I was a volunteer. It held the ground down across the street from Suburban Hospital, the closest trauma hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.

NIH funded a study that found only 30% of people would call an emergency number if they were injured, while around half would wait for emergency services rather than attempt first aid.

The NIH study also found that roughly a quarter-million people may die unnecessarily because first aid isn't more widely known.

How Does This Affect Iowans?

According to USA Facts, the leading cause of death in Iowa in 2022 was heart disease at 23%.  That was followed by cancer at 19% and deaths from accidents at 5%.

Those are people who may have benefited from first aid. The good news is that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and that light could be you or someone you know!

How Can Iowans Help Other Iowans?

Many times, medical training can be an added expense, which might keep some from getting a simple certification like CPR.

That's why this program, offered by the city of Marion, might be worth checking out. They're offering a two-part CPR certification, and the public is welcome to attend, free of charge.

If you would like to learn or re-learn CPR skills, sign up today at Rotarylc.org to attend the Marion Community CPR Class on February 15, 2025.  The first part of the training takes about 90 minutes and teaches hands-only CPR.

That, according to the Marion Fire Department, is the most important CPR technique for a bystander to know and use on a victim.  It can keep blood flowing until professional medical technicians arrive.

Get our free mobile app

The second part of the training will teach the assisted breathing technique required for Heartsaver Certification from the American Heart Association. If you need the certificate, you'll need to stay for the breathing training, which requires a $30 fee for certification.

Infant CPR and AED (defibrillator) training will be part of the class.  The press release says all training will be done by noon on February 15, 2025.

Just the Facts

• What: Annual Marion Community CPR Training Class
• When: Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, 9 a.m. - Noon
• Where: Marion Fire Station No. 1 Training Room - 100 Irish Drive, Marion, Iowa
• Who: Anyone 16+ who lives or works in Marion. Class size limited to first 50 enrollees
• How to enroll: Go to the Rotary Club of Linn County website (rotarylc.org) and follow the links to Marion CPR Training. Multiple family members may enroll, as long as space allows
• Sponsors: Marion Fire Department (trainers); Hills Bank (refreshments); Rotary Club of Linn County

Speaking of longevity, here are some Iowa restaurants that have stood the test of time.  Check out the pictures and then visit them in-person: