Learning the #SAVEALIFE with the Nick of Time

ECG screening pictured above

Last Monday, I got the opportunity to go to The Nick of Time Foundation's event at the Northwest School on behalf of the Physio Foundation. The Nick of Time Foundation has been putting on these smaller – 100 person screenings more recently. Though the foundation is known for its huge heart screenings, these aren’t always practical. Small screenings help protect and educate kids, while only needing a couple dozen volunteers.
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When I got to the event, I was met with a warm welcome from the volunteer staff. Upon learning that I was of- age for a screening (the cutoff is 24 and I’m 20). Darla prompted me to go through the screening. I agreed, and this gave me an inside scoop of what it’s like to get this brief CPR training, ECG screening, and education. First, I put on a hospital gown and went to the tent where I was hooked up to an ECG (electrocardiogram). There were ten pads put onto my skin and about five minutes later, the process was done. I was handed my results and ushered over to a doctor who explained my results to me. Lucky enough, my test showed my heart was perfectly healthy. The doctor told me they usually find an abnormality in one in every 300 students. Since the ECG isn’t a tell – all device, when it indicates a problem, the patient is prompted to get a more thorough screening and potentially an ultrasound.
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Next, I was ushered on to partake in what was essentially a CPR crash course. I have gone through CPR certification, so I did more observation during this section. Students were shown how to check if a person was in critical condition, call for help, use a defibrillator, and do correct chest compressions. All of this took about 5 minutes, and these kids could potentially save a life if they had to.
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The Nick of Time Foundation has screened about 20,000 students so far and has helped many young kids get the help they didn’t even know they needed. All the volunteers made me feel safe and comfortable throughout the screening. When people do work out of the goodness of their heart, everyone who participates can feel it. I’m thankful that the Physio Foundation can support incredible foundations like The Nick of Time. Nothing is bigger than us when we work together. Hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, side by side, we will make a difference. #Savealife

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