I spent most of yesterday in a Red Cross CPR and first aid training class as part of my Spokesman-Review safety committee duties.

About 30 years ago, I took a CPR class and so much has changed.

I was surprised how hard you have to do the chest compressions. It's a good sign if you hear the ribs cracking, the instructor told us.

A panel on the mannequins lights up if you are exerting enough pressure, and I often wasn't. It was exhausting.

The instructor stressed to always have someone call 911, and in the class, I felt so grateful there is a 911. In an emergency, if no one else knew CPR, I hope I would have the courage to do CPR.

But I hope I never have to, thanks to 911.