Smithtown Students Get Hands-On Emergency Training

More than 400 seniors from Smithtown High School East received community CPR training from Stony Brook University Hospital, in conjunction with the Setauket Fire Department.

High School East is the first Long Island high school to host this specific training in school.

Training included early heart attack response as students learned proper chest compressions using more than 50 training mannequins. They also learned how to properly use automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), training that is required of staff.

Senior Stephanie Guercio learned about this training over the summer while volunteering at Stony Brook University Hospital’s heart center, where her mother is a nurse practitioner in cardiology. Stephanie brought the idea to Principal Edwin Thompson.

“We are always encouraging students to leave their mark on the school, and this was Stephanie’s way of giving back,” said Thompson.

Each student who participated received a special community CPR/AED lifesaver certificate.

Photo courtesy of the Smithtown Central School District.