Last Updated on March 11, 2025 3:25 pm
BOONE — The Watauga County Rescue Squad is excited to announce that it is offering free community CPR and Stop the Bleed classes.
The classes will be held once a month and are free to attend. The only cost is if an attendee wants a CPR card, which is $15.
“We are excited to be offering this monthly class for our community,” WCRS Chief Nate McCoy said. “In the last six months alone, we've seen multiple cases where good bystander CPR saved lives. It’s a valuable skill to have, and we are glad to help get more people in our community certified in these vital, lifesaving skills.”
McCoy said the first class, held at the end of February, was a “huge success.”
According to the American Heart Association, CPR – or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation – is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. Immediate CPR can double or triple chances of survival after cardiac arrest. Keeping the blood flow active – even partially – extends the opportunity for a successful resuscitation once trained medical staff arrive on site.
The other part of the class is Stop the Bleed training. According to the American College of Surgeons, bleeding is the No. 1 cause of preventable death after injury. The course covers hands-on practices such as applying direct pressure, wound packing, and using a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.
“The more people we can train on these skills, the safer our community will be,” WCRS Deputy Chief Garrett Norris said. “While we hope no one ever has to utilize these skills, knowing how to stop a bleeding wound and do CPR is vital.”
The next class will take place at the end of March. To register, email McCoy at Nate_mccoy@wataugarescue.org.
“Let’s keep building a stronger, safer Watauga together,” McCoy said.
Stay tuned to the WCRS Facebook page for more information on future training opportunities.
