When disaster strikes, first responders only have seconds to respond before the severity of injuries increases dramatically for victims.

With that in mind, the Alabama Community Education nonprofit is hosting a training session at the Selma-Dallas County Public Library on Saturday, May 31 at 9:30 a.m. The training is for area coaches and teachers to learn CPR and first aid.

“You only have a limited time after a devastating injury before someone expires,” Glenda Shaw, with Alabama Community Education, said. “If someone near you had a heart attack, you have two minutes to give them CPR. If not, that’s it for them. They will have zero chances of living if they don’t have someone to respond within two minutes.”

Shaw said her goal is to have 25 area coaches and teachers sign up for the event, which would be smaller than the last time it was hosted in Selma.

“Four years ago, we held the same event here, and we had 47 teachers and coaches sign up to learn CPR and first aid,” Shaw said. “It was great because parents and family members could feel a lot safer when their kids go off to school.”

Participants who complete the training session will be certified in CPR by the American Heart Association, a certification which lasts for two years.

Even if someone has been certified in the past, Shaw said updates to the first aid and CPR guidelines mean there is something for everyone to learn.

“A lot of teachers here have already been CPR certified, but the guidelines have changed,” Shaw said. “So we want to get as many community members to get certified.”

The training session costs $25 per person, and anyone interested in attending the event can find more information by calling (866) 223-0002, or via email at info@aceclass.org.