Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue trains students in hands-on CPR and airway intubation

Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue instructors visited Hilton Head Island Middle School and Hilton Head Island High School to give students hands-on training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and airway intubation, the county public broadcast reported.

Kevin Libby, host of the Beaufort County broadcast, said the demonstrations showed students “what it takes to save a life.” An instructor from Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue told students that “the first time someone does CPR is on a loved one, so it is important for people of all ages to learn CPR.” The instructors walked students through chest compressions using mannequins that provide visual feedback when compressions meet the correct depth and rhythm.

Students practiced compressions and used the mannequins’ sensors to check hand placement and pace. One student said it was difficult “to keep the perfect beat per minute and keep both the dots green.” Firefighters also demonstrated advanced airway management techniques used by first responders. An instructor described intubation as a coordinated skill that requires repeated practice: “Get your hands on the equipment… it’s a set of skills that you have to practice and keep them fresh.”

The broadcast emphasized the training’s practical focus: students rotated through hands-on stations to experience the roles of first responders. County officials said the full training video is available on the county’s YouTube channel and that press releases and additional information can be found at beaufortcountysc.gov/news.

The broadcast segment is part of local public-safety outreach showing how firefighters work with schools to teach life-saving skills.