Three-and-a-half million deaths by heart attack happen every year and only four of ten bystanders would have known how to prevent them with hands-on CPR.
To reduce deaths of incarcerated persons, REVIVE sponsored the second hands-on CPR training program for a general population facility in California. During the state-certified training event, REVIVE, a peer-to-peer Instantaneous Life Saving Skills Group, introduced its new partnership with Marin Medical Reserve Corps and Marin County Public Health.
“We have extended the California Model beyond the relationship of the incarcerated and staff. We have extended it to our neighborhoods by reaching out to professional organizations who share in the assistance of making us more viable for society as we go home,” said resident Gerald Welsh, the founder of REVIVE.
Prior to REVIVE’s first training event on June 4, training in CPR and other lifesaving skills went exclusively to incarcerated firefighters and to the Scared Straight program.
The three-hour class, titled “REVIVE: ‘Saving Lives One Life at a Time,’” had 100 residents visit four stations. The first station introduced them to CPR. The second station instructed on the use of an Automated External Defibrillator, an electrical device used to restore normal heartbeat. Station Three engaged in Stop-the-Bleed training that taught emergency blood-loss prevention. The fourth station instructed in Narcan training, a procedure used to reverse opioid overdoses. Training at each station lasted approximately 15 minutes.
Welsh and Anne C., Senior Program Coordinator for Marin Medical Reserve Corps, opened up the event that was taught by dedicated volunteers of the Marin Medical Reserve Corps and Marin County Public Health.
Lee Ann P., an epidemiologist for Marin County Public Health, acted as evaluator of the county’s first training in a carceral setting. “I love it, seeing everyone actively participating. It says a lot that people came here today to learn skills that allow them to help in their community – after, all they aren’t here learning skills to help themselves in a medical emergency, they’re here to learn skills to help those around them,” said Lee Ann P.
Other volunteers reminded residents that non-medical attendees who gain the skills should help until they are given direction by prison staff or until medical professionals arrive on.
Michaela George, Ph.D., who also has an M.P.H. — a master’s degree in public health — has assisted at Marin Health and Human Services.
Dr. George said she felt “amazed to work with incarcerated resident Welsh, [who] shows enthusiasm while working, displaying a compassion for community that empowers everyone to accomplish this first training.”
Mentors of the program told participants that having knowledge lends great strength and having life-saving skills affords insight that might allow attendees to act on instinct instead of having to think twice if noticing someone in distress.
Christian L., an EMT for Marin County shared his thoughts.
“I hope other institutions could get the opportunity to have this program. I know that level four is like warfare, so they can apply these life-saving methods,” said Christian L.
Resident Welsh suffered traumatic experiences that prompted him to design the program once he discovered his passion to save lives at SQRC. Thirty days later, Welsh discovered a method to allow residents to provide care for residents or downed staff. He called it Instantaneous Care.
After initial research, he formulated his Inside Project Team and pitched the idea to Lt. Gardea, San Quentin’s former Community Resources Manager, who soon approved it and assisted with finding a staff sponsor.
On Dec. 5, 2023, Welsh reached out to 15 organizations by letter, including the Marin County Fire Department, who forwarded Welsh’s pitch to the Marin County Health Department.
Anne C., responded within 48 hours of receipt of the letter.
Anne shared MCPH and MMRC’s pride in collaborating with SQRC to provide support for this training program. Through contributions in program design, evaluation, and the provision of trainers and equipment, MCPH is assisting SQRC residents to equip them with essential skills for managing medical emergencies when they happen.
The program took place in Chapel B, set for two daily sessions of 50 students each.
The success of the life-saving skills class has allowed Welsh to receive preliminary financial commitment from Adriana Jackson, district director for Senator Nancy Skinner. “She was on board from day one and will fund the graduation,” Welsh said.
Welsh said the organization hoped to collaborate with the state and various philanthropic entities to have 300 residents state-certified every six months.
The revised program would ensure certification in Instantaneous Care and the new partnership would provide a more intensive two-hour state-certified program.
REVIVE’s sponsor is SQRC Senior Librarian Gabriel Loiederman and the Life-saving Skills program
“I got additional support from several staff including CO A. Brooks, Vocational Painting instructor Mr. Sutton, Dr. Pachynski, Dr. Anderson and Dr. Barendson of Mental Health, and Coach K. Bhatt. They were all supporters of everything I needed, e-mails addresses, communication, etc. Without their help, my dream would not have come true,” Welsh said.
—Marcus Casillas contributed to this story
