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No Joke: Red Cross Now Offers Comedy CPR
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Lise Harwin
 
March 27, 2009
PORTLAND, Ore. – CPR is no laughing matter. Unless, of course, your presenter is a professional comedian.

That’s exactly what’s in store for attendees at the American Red Cross’ new Comedy CPR class, first offered on Friday, April 17 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Oregon Trail Chapter’s headquarters, 3131 N. Vancouver Ave. Participants can register online at www.oregonredcross.org/ComedyCPR.

Class presenter/comedian Art Krug personally knows the importance of CPR. When he collapsed at home, Krug’s wife was able to perform CPR and save his life. Today, he has an implanted defibrillator and is doing fine. “CPR is no joke,” said Krug. “My wife never would have known what to do without training. Now I’m thrilled to be a part of helping others learn the skills to save a life.”

The inspiration behind Comedy CPR came from a traffic ticket. “In my home state of Texas, people could take comedy defensive driving courses to get their tickets dismissed,” said Thomas Bruner, CEO of the Oregon Trail Chapter. “If a comedian could make traffic rules and regulations laugh-out-loud funny, I could only imagine what fun they’d have with CPR instruction.”

Comedy CPR classes are guaranteed to have attendees rolling on the floor and clutching their stomachs – at least when demonstrating abdominal thrusts. When complete, participants will be ready to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies in adults ages 13 and up. The course meets OSHA guidelines and includes the latest science for emergency cardiovascular care as well as useful take-home materials.

Comedy CPR is the latest in a series of new takes on traditional CPR classes. Other special tracks include Singles CPR – next scheduled for April 22 – and LGBTQ CPR, coming in May 2009. For more information on Red Cross Health and Safety courses, visit www.oregonredcross.org.

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In Oregon, the American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disaster every eight hours; provides more than 90 percent of the blood used by Oregon patients; teaches thousands of Oregonians lifesaving skills; provides transportation to seniors and the disabled; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.oregonredcross.org or join the conversation on our award-winning blog at www.oregonredcross.org/blog.