Barrow CERT Members Use Training to Save a Life

Imagine watching a horrible accident involving your friends unfold right before your eyes. That is what happened to Vance and Fern Oakes as they were motorcycle riding with friends on Memorial Day weekend in Tennessee.

As they rounded a curve, the motorcycle carrying two of their friends left the roadway and went down a cliff. Both people were thrown from the motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle was unconscious and not breathing.

Despite the horror of the situation, the Oakes remained calm and utilized the skills they had acquired through their Barrow County Emergency Response Team (CERT) training to assist their friends. Those skills turned out to be lifesaving ones due to the fact that paramedics were 20 minutes away from the scene of the accident.

"I've had CPR classes, but if I had not had the CERT training classes and knew how to quickly triage the patient and establish an airway and breathing I don't think my friend would be alive today," Vance Oakes said in a released statement.

As Vance worked to open the driver's airway and assist his breathing, Fern kept the passenger calm. The two continued to aid and comfort their friends until paramedics arrived.

The driver was flown by helicopter to a local trauma center to be treated for four broken vertebrae, a broken arm and broken ribs. The passenger sustained only minor injuries. Both have since recovered.

According to CERT spokesperson Connie Keener, the Oakes shared their story to emphasize the value of CERT training.

"We are so grateful that this type of training is available to all residents of Barrow County and even more grateful that we had taken the class," Fern Oakes said. 

CERT training is free and is designed to educate citizens in disaster preparedness. Topics covered in training include basic disaster response skills, fire safety, search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. For more information, contact Penny Clack at 770-307-2987 or visit the Barrow CERT website.