Demand Rises For

CPR Classes A er Damar Hamlin’s Cardiac Arrest

By Stephanie Faughnan

BARNEGAT – Not every NFL player can say their actions on the field served as the catalyst for something as important as Damar Hamlin.

Fans watched in horror as the 24-year-old Buffalo Bills safety collapsed after suffering cardiac arrest. The team’s assistant trainer Denny Kellington sprung into action and delivered CPR.

CPR saves lives – and Damar Hamlin’s survival makes him the poster child as proof it works.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), 88 percent of cardiac arrests happen at home.

Hamlin’s miraculous recovery continues to serve as an inspiration. Reports are that CPR training will be offered at the Super Bowl. And, Hamlin also plans to join recruiting efforts on behalf of the AHA to promote CPR training.

came homeless, Osthoff noticed a little lump growing on Sapphire’s ribs. As it started to grow, Osthoff headed to a local veterinarian to have the 10-year-old (Animal - See Page 4)

High School Freshmen Hear About Substance Use Prevention

By Alyssa Riccardi

HOWELL – The Howell Alliance started off the new year by visiting Howell High School to teach students about the risks of youth vaping and substance use.

Howell Alliance Coordinator Christa Riddle joined Howell

High School’s Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) Julie Adkins to educate freshmen with an hour-long interactive presentation that empowers students to make informative and healthy decisions. The presentations help prepare students for peer pressure and other triggers that may push them to use substances such as nicotine, marijuana, alcohol, and prescription medications.

“Since the brain develops until at least 25 years of age, youth are reminded that their growing bodies are at an increased risk for long-term consequences and addiction when using substances, especially high potency products like today’s nicotine salts and concentrated THC products that are not subject to any potency cap regulations and are often preferred by underage users,” the Howell Alliance states.

“For example, extracted THC oils and waxes can be 99% THC, and nicotine strengths can run up to 50 mg. THC is the psychoactive,

(PreventionSee Page 5)

“There’s been more interest in people searching for trainings,” acknowledged Brian Lippai, Chief of Administrative Services/ Public Information for the Ocean County Health Department. “We do them regularly at the Health Department and the number of participants continues to grow each year.” Humans aren’t the ones who stand to benefit from CPR administration. According to Lippai, the health department has also seen an increase in residents wanting pet CPR classes as well. Lippai said the training benefited him on a personal level.

“I’ve taken the classes and found them to be fantastic,” Lippai said. “I was so fortunate to save one of my pet’s lives after a choking incident.”

CPR training classes are offered regularly throughout many area hospitals. Medical facilities, fire departments and EMTs also provide instruction on the life-saving techniques.

Many of Barnegat’s senior communities also use their clubhouses as training centers with classes provided by the local fi rst aid

(CPR Classes - See Page 5)

Animal

: Continued From Page 1 pit bull mix examined.

The vet told him to keep an eye on the lump and not worry about it unless it continued to increase in size. By the time Osthoff was out on the street, the growth by Sapphire’s rib was visibly larger.

Osthoff headed to the office of a Howell veterinarian who has since retired. The doctor suggested that Sapphire needed a surgical procedure that would cost $3,000 and required upfront payment.

“One of the staff members in the vet’s office said she knew this guy who had a large network of people that were in the animal rescue community,” Osthoff shared. “She told me he sets up requests for funds and that with his respect and credibility, he’d be able to raise money for my dog in my time.”

The concept sent a wave of relief through Ost- hoff who accepted the staff member’s offer and helped Sapphire pose for her GoFundMe cover shot. Facebook posts set up under the name Anthony Devolder gained instant attention.

Like wildfire, $900 came in within days, giving Osthoff great hope. It took a couple of months for the full $3,000 and the concerned pet owner finally felt a sense of relief.

“I was raring to go,” exclaimed Osthoff. “I planned to take my buddy in for the surgery and get it done. I’d get another two or three years of life with her.”

Osthoff said he contacted Devolder and began to sense he was getting a runaround. Devolder wanted Sapphire’s surgery done in Long Island. The idea was that if the bill went over $3,000, Devolder’s Friends of Pets United would make sure it was covered.

The trip out to Long Island added a new layer of frustration. The New York based vet said the growth was too big and the surgery would kill her.

Not to be dissuaded in his life-saving rescue attempts, Osthoff returned to New Jersey. Requests for payment for an ultrasound came with excuses – none that made sense according to the frustrated pet owner.

“He kept arguing back and forth with me on the phone,” Osthoff said. “He was telling it was my all my fault that Sapphire wasn’t worked on and it felt like he enjoyed torturing me.”

A text message sent to Osthoff informed him that if his dog wasn’t a candidate for surgery, the funds would be moved to another animal that needed it.

Left no other alternative, Osthoff took to panhandling to find the money to euthanize and cremate his jewel of a pup in 2017. The emotional pain continues to haunt him.

Osthoff said he contacted New York authorities back then and nobody could find a record of Devolder. It wasn’t until Santos started making national news that the Navy vet realized he recognized him from somewhere.

“I watched a gaggle of reporters chasing him in early January,” shared Osthoff. “Some male reporter asked what his name was on that day – George Santos or Anthony Devolder.”

As he looked at his text exchange with Devolder, Osthoff had an epiphany. A local New York reporter listened to Osthoff and the story took off.

Most recently, Osthoff said the FBI contacted him as part of an investigation.

Santos raced away as ABC News followed him to ask him questions about the allegations and the investigation. He claimed he knew nothing about the investigation by federal law enforcement.

“He (Osthoff) claimed he never met me, and I never met him,” Santos said. “It’s on the record.” Previously, Santos sent out a tweet saying that reports that he would let a dog die were “shocking and insane.” The freshman congressman said his animal advocacy was a labor of love and hard work.

Sapphire’s loss left a huge void in Osthoff’s life although he now has two other dogs to keep him company. He considers the adoption of pups Ruby and Diamond as precious gems.

The national attention came with some rewards for the formerly homeless vet who now lives in Freehold.

“I was listening to Howard Stern when his wife came on,” said Osthoff. “She said that the North Shore Animal League was looking to get a hold of me and asked if anyone knew how to reach out to me.”

Beth Ostrosky Stern is a prominent animal-rights activist. Osthoff couldn’t be more excited about what the future holds. He said the North Shore Animal League wants to waive adoption fees and give him another dog with free lifetime veterinary costs. Ruby and Diamond would also receive reduced cost vet care.

As for Santos, the list of allegations continues to grow – in what he might see as reflective of a “dog eats dog” world.

Prevention:

Continued From Page 1 mind-altering chemical in marijuana that affects the body and brain.”

The presentations consisted of open discussions about vaping, as it’s become a popular trend among the youth and young adults. Students shared insights on what they already know about vaping, how their peers behave, and what they want to learn about the subject. Topics included e-cigarette regulations, covering the illegal sale of products to anyone under the age of 21, the e-cigarette fl avor ban in the state, and discussing the legal age to purchase, possess, or use marijuana and alcohol.

Another major topic of discussion included the reasons that young people try these substances. Riddle explained how it could be due to peer pressure, relief from anxiety and depression, curiosity, boredom, a major life change, and more. Students also learned how to say “no” and walk away from these types of situations.

“I am impressed by youth participation during these presentations; on how much they already know and share about these topics and the questions they ask to become informed decisionmakers,” Riddle said. “We are all learning a lot from one another through candid, mature, and respectful dialogue, which helps us achieve our goal to empower students to make wise, fact-based, and health-oriented choices when it comes to their bodies and brains. We want them to understand that decisions they make today can last a lifetime.”

CPR Classes:

Continued From Page 1 squad. Schools have also increased the availability of CPR training.

Bruno Iamonte, who volunteers for the Barnegat First Aid Squad provides regular instruction to members of the local community. Recently, he led a class of seniors at the Mirage in the most up to date methods of delivering CPR and the Heimlich maneuver.

“It’s not one of those things you see in the movies where all of a sudden somebody jumps on it and starts pushing on the chest without doing anything,” began Iamonte. “There’s a whole process and by the time we’re done, I have to feel comfortable that when I put my name on your card – you know what to do if you’re placed in the situation.”

Iamonte distributed a couple of sheets of outlines for further reference. Participants dropped to their knees in front of dummies waiting to be worked on. blues during winter feelings of isolation. Light lunch to be provided. a positive mindset.

The hours of instruction included understanding the difference between a heart attack and a stroke. Iamonte stressed that CPR should be reserved for times when a person stops breathing, is unresponsive or has no pulse.

While many of those who took the class had learned CPR previously, Iamonte reminded the guidelines had changed. And, while techniques are similar, it’s critical to know the difference between administering CPR to adults, children and babies.

The first rule to follow? Call 911 on speaker mode and get help on the way, said Iamonte.

Going through the motions of delivering CPR might seem exhaustive even in instructional mode. While many people may never need the lessons they learned – one fact remains.

CPR saves lives – Just ask Damar Hamlin.

BRICK – Are you down because of the dreary, cold, dank days of winter? Then join Angelic Health Speakers Bureau is offering Having a Bright Heart in the Bleak Midwinter February 17 1:30 p.m.

To learn more about the Howell Alliance, visit twp.howell.nj.us/ Alliance.

Presented by Angelic Health spiritual care staff, the program will focus on embracing time for reflection, suggestions for spiritual comfort in aging, overcoming the

Registration required by February 10 by calling 732-451-6185, or email nkinnevy@angelichospice.net. All sessions will be held at Town Square at the Jersey Shore Adult Day Care and Enrichment Center Laurel Square Plaza 1930 Route 88, Brick.