Highlighting healthy habits

Kevin Jimenez pointed at Janai Holmes, an RKA sophomore, and shouted, “You in the red shirt, call 9-1-1.”

As Janai made a dash to call for help, Mr. Jimenez bent over two mannequins.  

The CEO and founder of a first responder training company called Third Watch Training, guided students at the David A. Stein Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy, MS/HS 141, health fair on March 13, through the 30 chest compressions and two breaths administered four times during CPR. 

He placed his hands over Autumn Harrigan’s and helped the sophomore press her palms into the dummy’s chest.

Next, Autumn attached the narrow opening of a plastic bag over the mouth of the mannequin and squeezed it, sending oxygen into the pseudo-victim’s airways and simulating the breaths administered during CPR.

“Put two fingers around the side of the neck to check for a pulse,” Mr. Jimenez said.

Autumn leaned over the mannequin, placing her ear above the mouth and her fingers on its neck, pretending to study the dummy for signs of life.

Her first experience with CPR was more complex than the process depicted on TV, Autumn said.   

“I was surprised at what you have to do,” she said. “It’s good to know how to do this because things in life are unexpected.”

Mr. Jimenez’s booth was among 13 stations set up in RKA’s gym for the school’s annual health expo, Fair 13: New Year, New You! 

Displays ranged from the edible, such as a smoothie tasting station, to the strenuous, with the Marine Corps’ booth challenging students to pull-up contests and other tests of strength. The booths also touched on the consequences of living an unhealthy lifestyle with a station on eating disorders and another illustrating how organs morph with the consumption of alcohol, drugs and junk food.

Austin Cromartie, a HealthCorps coordinator stationed at RKA, helped about 60 students in student government, Teen Action Club, a community service after-school program, and a related class organize the affair.