On Nov. 8, the Joplin City Health Department will host two CPR classes at their offices, located at 321 E 4th Street. The first course will be a HeartCode Basic Life Support (BLS) Checkoff course beginning at 10 a.m. The second, a Friends and Family CPR course, begins at 1:30 p.m.

The Family and Friends course, which will run until 4 p.m., will teach lifesaving skills in adult and child CPR in a dynamic group environment. Students will be given hands-on instruction in techniques that could save someone’s life if their heart were to stop. Students who complete this course do not receive a certification upon completion.

The Basic Life Skills CPR course is a self-directed comprehensive eLearning program. It is designed to use a personalized learning path that adapts in real time to a learner’s performance. The BLS program is designed for healthcare professionals, first responders,  and those who are looking to go into the healthcare or medical profession. After completing the online learning program, students use Checkoff sessions like this one to demonstrate their knowledge and complete the course. Successful students are given a completion card that is valid for two years.

Tamara Waterman, a registered nurse for the Joplin Health Department, said that they try to teach at least two CPR classes a month and try to rotate between a BLS, HeartSaver, and Friends and Family course.

Students who are interested can sign up for classes at the Parks and Rec. website at www.joplinmo.org/162/parks-recreation. There is also a fee for each class, $20 for the BLS Checkoff, and $25 for Friends and Family. Students may sign up for the course at any time before 5 p.m. two days before each course.

Waterman said that they always hope for a full class but are happy to teach just one student that signs up. Once a person has passed the class they are certified for two years before having to take the course again. The Health Department has been offering CPR classes to the public for the past two years.