New York, NY—Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy (MTA)/Yeshiva University High School for Boys student Philip Meyer, of Teaneck, New Jersey, led a training in CPR, automated external defibrillator (AED) use and the Heimlich maneuver for more than 100 MTA students and faculty this May.
The course covered chest compressions, breathing through mouth-to-mouth and intermediary devices, and AED use. Working in small groups, Meyer taught the course repeatedly throughout the month of May so that he could closely monitor each individual to help them gain skills and confidence in their ability to make a difference in a life-threatening situation. Participants received AHA certification after passing a test at the course’s conclusion.
Meyer offered the course, a module of the Heartsaver CPR AED course, through the Arista National Honor Society. He is co-president of the MTA Arista Chapter. Meyer is also a certified and licensed Emergency Medical Technician, a facilitator of Family and Friends, and Heartsaver – Bloodborn Pathogens as well as basic life support instructor with the American Heart Association (AHA). In addition, he is an active member of the Bogota First Aid squad.
“As my senior year in high school came to an end, I saw how much I have gained from MTA and I felt like I needed to give back somehow,” said Meyer. “I am very interested in medicine and this felt like the perfect way to continue on that road while giving back to the school. The need for CPR can happen anytime so it is very important that people know what to do.”
Legislation to make CPR training a requirement for a high school diploma is pending in the New York State Legislature; 16 states already have such a requirement.
“It’s reasonable to argue that failure to be prepared for a life-threatening situation would, if one occurs, cause the unprepared person to violate the mitzvah of lo taamod al dam re’echa [don’t stand idly by your neighbor’s blood],” said Murray Sragow, director of college guidance at MTA. “Thanks to Philip Meyer, a large group of MTA students and faculty can now be confident that they will not violate this mitzvah if the case arises.”
After studying in Israel next year, Meyer will attend the Jay and Jeannie Schottenstein Honors Program at Yeshiva University.
