Campus Rec makes CPR/First Aid certification classes accessible to UHCL community
The University of Houston Clear-Lake (UHCL) opened its first recreation and wellness center in the fall of 2018. Since opening, the center continues to make efforts to implement healthy habits into the lifestyles of students, staff, faculty and the surrounding community. This December, the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center (CRWC) will be offering Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) / First Aid certification classes.
CRWC will offer three classes in the month of December. The first CPR / First Aid class will be held Dec. 10, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The following classes will be held on Dec. 17 and 18, 4 – 6 p.m.
Before attending one of these classes, there is a 3-hour online session that needs to be completed prior to attending the in-person session. The cost is $75 per person, covering both online and in-person training. The certification will last two years before expiring. Attendees are required to register online through rwconnect.uhcl.edu.
CPR is used when a person’s heart stops beating effectively, or if a person stops breathing. The purpose of CPR is to help restore oxygen to the brain and revive a person back to their normal state. Performing CPR immediately can double the chances of survival after cardiac arrest. Keeping the blood flow going even partially extends the opportunity for a successful resuscitation until medical staff arrives.
First Aid certification to help non-medical professionals provide assistance in case of asthma emergencies, choking, heart attack, burns, stroke and seizures. Once certified, this gives an opportunity to save or change someone’s life for the better.
Brian Mills, director for UHCL’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, spoke on the importance of being CPR / First Aid certified.
“Being a father of two and a high school sports official, I can’t imagine not having it,” Mills said. “You never know when something is going to happen, and I like to think that I will be prepared to help when it does. I have used my first aid skills a number of times in random situations. Luckily, I’ve never had to perform CPR skills, and I hope I never have to.”
Mills plans for the CRWC to offer classes in the spring semester.
“Our hope is to be able to offer one or two classes each month if we can work around all of our other schedules,” Mills said. “With the expansion of programs in intramural sports, sport clubs, group fitness and wellness, we will announce spring certification class options in January around the beginning of classes.”
Regina Pickett, director of health services at UHCL, said CPR and basic First Aid is important for everyone to know.
“Everybody should be able to save a life,” Pickett said.
Pickett said that every staff member in UHCL’S Health Services Office is CPR certified.
“Here you will find over 123 years of shared medical experience between four nurses who work in this department,” Pickett said.
Karina Avendano, graduate assistant of operations for the CRWC, spoke highly of the opportunity the center is presenting by hosting CPR / First Aid certification.
“It’s an opportunity to learn how to save a life,” Avendano said. “It’s very accessible, not only for students but for the community too. This class is at a great price point if you can have it for this price, why not do it?”
