JONES COUNTY, Ga. — All it takes is a few seconds to save a life, and a woman in Jones County is helping save lives one beat at a time.
Children and families gathered for a hands-on CPR class on Saturday, and not only do they learn about the right technique, but the classes help build trust and teamwork within the community.
Senesta Roberson is a former trauma nurse and noticed a lot of kids do not know what to do if their parent or family member is having a medical emergency.
Now, she is the instructor of M.A.G.S CPR Life Changing Destiny, LLC, which stands for motivation, anticipation, and guidance, and she teaches them what to look out for.
Roberson says the classes taught for kids are important because they need to know how to take care of each other.
"It's very important to me that kids know that they can make a difference," Roberson said. "I have never seen a doctor, nurse, paramedic, or training site get up and pump their own heart, so that child could be the only one there to save them."
Roberson said the kids were ready to learn on Saturday and sprung into action when it was time.
"I train paramedics and doctors but today, to see how these children really interacted makes a difference," Roberson said. "It really makes me feel good to see them do that and the enthusiasm they're putting behind it."
Tina Dennard is the president of the Adopt a Role Model Program in Macon.
She brought over 20 kids within the program to the CPR training today and said it is important for these kids to learn about trust and teamwork when helping those in need.
"At first the kids were almost frozen, like they didn't want to do it but I told them that we're going to have fun and support each other," Dennard said. "So, later on, I saw a lot of 'I got you's' and when they got really tired then team two stepped up. It was a group effort and the kids seem to really enjoy it while the adults really need the stability."
Carmelo Coney is from Macon and in the Adopt a Role Model Program.
"Anybody could be in danger, and it's always a good way to know how to do it and be able to pitch in and help the community," Coney said.
Coney said they learned about breathing, chest compressions, hand placement, and more.
Now. Coney said he is ready to help save a life.
"With just me being able to know how to do it, I know the time will come sometime," Coney said.
M.A.G.S CPR is located at 3014 Gray Highway.
You can visit their website for more information and to sign up for certification classes.