PACIFIC OCEAN, At Sea – Sailors aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) took part in a CPR class as part of ongoing safety training Aug. 16.
During the course, sailors learned valuable skills that could save lives in the event of an emergency.
“We are doing CPR training today to ensure the crew is properly trained for real life emergency situations,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class James Dixon. “We want to teach as many sailors as we can so that they have an understanding of what to do in that type of situation.”
Sailors learned the proper technique for giving CPR including chest compressions, rescue breathing and how to use an automated external defibrillator.
Members of the crew participated in the course for different reasons. Certain rates require the class annually, especially if they deal with electricity on a regular basis. Others came to learn skills that they could use to help someone else during an emergency.
Seaman Jacob Eldridge, assigned to Naval Beach Unit 7 which is tasked with transporting personnel and equipment safely from the ship to the shore said, “I came to this course to learn how to save lives on the beach.”
Tortuga is part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). The ARG is comprised of Tortuga, amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and amphibious transport dock USS Denver (LPD 9) on deployment in the Western Pacific.