🔑 Key Points
- 400 ushers from 7 churches in Gwangju & Jeonnam trained in CPR 🧑🤝🧑
- Practical training in chest compressions, AED use, and choking response 🫀- Focus on “golden time” ⏱️ to save lives
- Expansion planned for all church members 🌍
✨ 1. Safety in Worship: More Than Just Guidance
When people enter a place of worship, they expect peace, comfort, and protection. But emergencies can happen anywhere—even in church. That’s why the Shincheonji Peter Tribe organized a large-scale CPR training for 400 ushers across seven churches in Gwangju and Jeonnam.
These ushers aren’t simply guides helping people find their seats. In urgent moments, they may be the very first to respond. Their actions can make the difference between tragedy and survival. ❤️
🫀 2. Why CPR Training Matters So Much
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to save a life. According to health statistics, survival rates nearly double when bystanders perform CPR instead of waiting for medical staff to arrive. That “golden time” of just a few minutes can protect the brain and keep the heart beating long enough for professional help to take over. 💡
For a church that welcomes hundreds weekly, ensuring that ushers are trained is a direct investment in protecting every person who comes to worship.
💪 3. How to Perform CPR: The Core Steps
The training began with medical professionals explaining the correct process. Here’s the step-by-step guide participants practiced:
- Point out specific people by their features—ask one person to call 911 and another to bring the AED. 📞 (dial 119 in Korea).
For example: “You, the woman in the skirt, please call 911. And you, the man with glasses, please bring the AED.” AEDs are usually available in subways or large buildings.
Depth: about 5 cm (not more than 6 cm).
Speed: 100–120 compressions per minute⏱️.- 30:2 ratio: After 30 compressions, give 2 rescue breaths (if trained).
- Hands-only CPR: If you’re untrained or uncomfortable giving breaths, keep pushing without stopping.
Many ushers said they were surprised by how much physical energy CPR required, but repeating the exercise helped them feel prepared for a real-life emergency. 🌟
🫁 4. The Heimlich Maneuver: Saving Someone from Choking
In addition to cardiac arrest, choking is another common and dangerous emergency—especially in gatherings where food may be present. Trainers also taught the Heimlich maneuver, a simple but life-saving technique.
Here’s how it works:
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Stand behind the person and wrap your arms around their waist.
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Make a fist and place it just above the navel.
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Grasp your fist with your other hand and deliver quick, upward thrusts into the abdomen.
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Repeat until the object is expelled or the person can breathe again.
This technique can restore airflow in seconds, often before medical help arrives. 🫂 Ushers practiced this too, realizing how important it is to be ready for not just one type of emergency but many.
🌍 5. Training That Builds Confidence and Community
With 30–40 medical trainers guiding them, the ushers practiced repeatedly using CPR mannequins, AED trainers, and choking simulations. They received direct feedback on posture, hand placement, and rhythm until it felt second nature.
One usher reflected:
“I once learned CPR in the military, but I had forgotten almost everything. This training refreshed my memory and gave me confidence to respond.”
Another added:
“I was surprised at how tiring CPR is, but repeating it helped me realize how serious and important it is.”
These words show that the training didn’t just teach techniques—it gave participants courage. 🌟
💖 6. Churches as Places of Safety and Love
The program was organized during Korea’s national Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS), emphasizing the role of churches not just in spiritual guidance, but also in community safety.
A church representative explained:
“When cardiac arrest happens during worship, responding within the golden time is critical. That’s why we prepared this training.”
Looking ahead, the Peter Tribe plans to expand the program so that all members, not just ushers, receive CPR and emergency training. Imagine a whole community of people ready to save lives—what a powerful expression of love and responsibility. ❤️
🌟 Final Thought
We often think love or service must be something big or distant. But as this training shows, sometimes love looks like two hands pressing in rhythm, keeping someone alive until help comes.
For the Shincheonji Peter Tribe, training ushers in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver wasn’t just about safety—it was about living out care, responsibility, and the value of every single life. 🌍✨
#ShincheonjiPeterTribe #CPRTraining #EmergencyPreparedness #HeimlichManeuver #LifeSaving