Local Boy Scout Troop 999 sponsored by Sylva First Methodist Church is focusing this year on what to do when a person suffers a heart attack.

This vital training program was greatly enhanced this week when the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association and Andy Shaw Ford presented them with a CPR dummy. “Anne” provides instant responses by giving signals to the trainee that he or she is applying the right pressure to the right spot or breathing correctly into the victim’s mouth.

CPR is a requirement for many Boy Scout merit badges such as First Aid, Life Saving, Water Sports, and White Water, just to name a few. The training takes about five hours of lectures and intensive practice.

The troop hopes to train all its members in the next year. The unit will be available for other troops in the Jackson, Macon and Swain area to use for their CPR training.