The Dartmouth Medical School Health Education And Rescue Training (DMS HEART) community service organization has been dedicated to community CPR training and health education since its inception in 1991. The organization was created in the wake of the tragic passing of a young Dartmouth College baseball player, whose heart failed and whose friends looked on helplessly as he lay dying. Numerous clinical studies have shown that by learning the American Heart Associations "bystander CPR", near-by family members, neighbors and innocent passers-by can have a significant positive effect on survival of heart attack victims. However, it is important to note that the need for these interventions is not limited to adults with coronary heart disease. Many victims of trauma, drowning, electrocution, suffocation, choking, drug intoxication, and the like may also be saved by prompt initiation of bystander CPR.In light of this compelling reality, public education and training are crucial to reducing preventable cardiovascular deaths. Over the last 8 years, DMS HEART has endured valiantly to promote its goal. In 1995 DMS HEART was awarded NH State non-profit status. In 1999 our volunteer membership base doubled to 30 members who then trained over 400 people. This year, a new WebSite (www.dartmouth.edu/~dmsheart) provides information on heart disease, NH State genetics, and descriptions of CPR and First Aid courses offered by HEART. There also was a very productive meeting of graduate science leaders representing the Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Pharmacology, Physiology, Biology and CECS, the Director of HEART and 2 DMS students. A training program has been organized to be offered optionally to all grad students, post-docs, lab and office staff and basic science faculty, who would like to be trained in CPR and Basic Life Support. Additionally, training is offered for those who wish to become instructors. Initial numbers of those interested reach into the mid 200's. The gravity of this purpose was affirmed in the sudden cardiac death of a beloved medical school researcher, Mrs. Barbara Crute, at the top of Mt. Killington. Only one person present knew CPR, and when he became exhausted, there was no option but to wait hopelessly for help to arrive.
We hope to train you and your loved ones in the near future.
Please contact us: DMSHEART@dartmouth.edu
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