Attendees to the 2017 MACo Winter Conference learned critical first aid skills during the “‘Stayin’ Alive’ – Learn to Save a Life with Naloxone Training for Opioid Overdoses and Hands-Only CPR” panel on December 7.

Participants first learned hands-only CPR and related first aid on training dummies. The CPR training was provided by a qualified life guard employed by the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake. Participants then learned how to administer Naloxone to someone who has overdosed on opioids and tend to that person until help arrives. The Naloxone training was conducted by Charles County Health Officer Dianna Abney.

Finally, representatives from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office gave a brief overview of their Heroin Overdose Prevention Effort (HOPE) House, which was on display for conference attendees. The HOPE House is a trailer that duplicates a young person’s bedroom and bathroom and teaches people to recognize signs that suggest the young person is using drugs. The HOPE House is a mobile education tool, targeting the heroin epidemic, conceived by the HOPE Workgroup, a partnership between Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler and members of the Harford County Community.