Thanks to a partnership between Niles Community Schools and Lakeland Health, local students are learning a new set of skills that could one day help save a life.

On Wednesday, a group of Niles High School freshmen learned the basics of performing CPR and operating automated external defibrillator devices inside the school gymnasium that morning. The students, part of Regina Herber’s life wellness class, used prosthetic dummies to practice how to assist someone who has suffered from a heart attack.

According to Tami Goslee, a registered nurse and clinical educator for Lakeland Hospital helping teach the teenagers that morning, a quick round chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth breaths could mean the difference between life and death during a heart attack.

Thankfully, there is now at least a few more young people out there who could step in to do just that in the event that someone suffers from a cardiac episode in town.

While Niles High School’s focus on teaching its students CPR is due to a mandate from Lansing, which requires all students to receive instruction on CPR and AED prior to graduation, it is through its partnership with Lakeland that the school and health care organization are able to take things to the next level. Not only do the two entities teach children lifesaving skills, but they also provide CPR certification to students.

In addition, Lakeland covers the cost of equipment and provides staff to help teach, which eases the burden on the school’s budget.

As we mentioned above, it is comforting to know that the school and hospital are doing what they can to make the Niles community a safer place to live and visit. Unfortunately, life threatening episodes rarely occur in front a doctor or ambulance, so equipping a greater number of people with the knowledge and skills necessary to pitch in and help is extremely important.

We hope that the students receiving CPR training will be inspired to continue receiving certification in the years to follow, as well.

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of General Manager Ambrosia Neldon and editors Scott Novak and Ted Yoakum.