NICC offering AED and CPR training giveaway essay contest

Friday, June 2, 2023

NICC will award an Automated External Defibrillator, or AED, as well as training and CPR instruction to winners of an essay contest.

NORTHEAST IOWA—In the event of a cardiac arrest, every second counts. That’s why it is critical that community members and local organizations receive the training and education they need to increase the chances of survival for a family member, friend, customer or neighbor. 

In recognition of National CPR and AED Awareness Week, June 1-7, Northeast Iowa Community College will be sponsoring a giveaway contest for local organizations. NICC will award an Automated External Defibrillator, or AED, as well as training and CPR instruction to winners of an essay contest. The AED and CPR training package is valued at $2,500.

“When bystanders recognize a sudden cardiac arrest victim, activate EMS and begin chest compressions, they start the critical steps to save a life. AEDs are user-friendly devices, designated for the lay public, that can increase the odds of the patient surviving,” said Phil Arensdorf, program developer for NICC Business and Community Solutions. “NICC has been a distributor of the Zoll AED, and we are proud to know they have been used to save lives here in our region. Our promotion enables us to help the communities we serve by providing them with training and an AED to make a difference.”

Seventy percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes and the chances of survival decrease 10 percent every minute in a cardiac arrest, according to data from the American Heart Association. Many local organizations, such as Dubuque Food Pantry, have partnered with NICC to provide training for their employees and volunteers.

“We have just started CPR training after purchasing our AED. We will offer training yearly to all staff and volunteers. We want to be able to start emergency life saving measures as we await the arrival of EMTs. In fact, two of our ten Board of Directors have family members who would have been served well by the use of AED promptly,” Theresa M. Caldwell, executive director of Dubuque Food Pantry, said.

Other companies, such as Riley Subaru, have also contracted with the College to provide this important, life-saving training for staff. 

“We do our best to provide CPR training on a yearly basis for new and existing employees who need certification,” said David Regan, general manager. “We feel fully prepared in case of an emergency. Our employees are much more confident to assist with the skills they acquired during training. Phil Arensdorf from NICC did an excellent job explaining how to properly perform CPR and he was very patient with our employees as we learned the proper techniques. Riley Subaru prioritizes the health and safety for our employees and customers.”

The AED and CPR training essay contest is open through June 30. All community organizations are invited to enter, writing an essay that explains why their organization needs an AED and the CPR training. View contest details and guidelines at nicc.edu/business-community. For additional information contact Phil Arensdorf at arensdorfp@nicc.edu.