EL CAJON VALLEY HOSTS LION’S NEWSLETTER
January 26, 2026, Members: _29_ Guests: _1__
Facebook: El Cajon Valley Host Lions Club
Volume 2026 _______________________________________Issue 3
CALL TO ORDER: __Ron Nevels____________________________________
Invocation: ______Mark Clifton______
Pledge of Allegiance: _ Penny McMahon_______
Patriotic Song: ___Kat & Chris__ Song: _God Bless America__
HELEN KELLER QUOTE BY: _Don Anthony_________________
“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”
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GUESTS: _Speaker John Klatt______________________________________________
COMMUNICATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Casino Night April 18th, 2026, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm at the Ronald Reagan Center
Tom Hoban will be hosting a Poker game. It will be on Thursday afternoon at 3:00 pm
Please call Tom if you would like to play (619) 921-6730
The New EL Cojon Valley Club Secretary will be Gary Robinson
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:
FEBRUARY BOARD MTG: Feb. 12, 6 PM, Elks Conference Room.
Casino Night April 18th, 2026, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm at the Ronald Reagan Center
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
VAN WILLSEY (1-19-64) COLEEN OWENS (1-19-48)
SUSIE CLINE (1-18-50) KEN SANDERS (1-28-84)
GOOD CHEER: _________________________________________________________
IF you know of any members who are in distress, sick, or in the hospital, PLEASE notify PP Yvonne so our good wishes can be conveyed to him/her. 619/838-4262
Paul Walters is undergoing some medical issues. Please keep him in your prayers.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORTS:
1st VP Penny Duane: Casino Night Prep after today’s meeting. The meeting will be after all the weekly meetings. Please come and help, this is our club’s main fundraiser of the year
Event on April 18th, with venue, catering, and entertainment finalized; detailed prep required._
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2nd VP Grant Thiem III: __We are in need of an Eyeglass program Chairman ______________________________
3rd VP Kat Zeman: Progress__________________________________________________________________________
MEMBERSHIP: Paul Walters: ___ We need a new chairman to fill the vacancy left by Paul Walters’s illness; additional volunteers needed. _______________________________________
January EXEMPT BADGE: __Grant Theim Jr._______________
HAPPY DOLLARS/FINES: TT ____Bob Moreau_________________________
| Gary Sims | $20 | for my wife’s 70th birthday. We are going to Puerto Vallarta. If we don’t get robbed or put in jail. Then we’re down there from Wednesday to Wednesday. Awesome. Seven days of blissful, happy birthday happiness. |
| Chris Bramwell | $100 | We were out in the parking lot just before our meeting here, Bob Acker, Mark, and I, and we saw this guy drive in the parking lot in a brand new Aston Martin. Beautiful. They gotta be really expensive. What do you think, Chris? |
| Mark Clifton | $20 | I got a happy 20 for a fun weekend in Scottsdale at the Barrett-Jackson. Did you come back with anything? No, I didn’t come back with a car. What disease? No, I didn’t know anything.I watched one being sold by a friend of mine, Paul Garrett. |
| Mike Raney | $5 | This is a little different. When I’m making the advertisement talk, the pants I’m wearing are from Costco, and they’re not jeans. They’re kind of a bridge between jeans and dress pants. And they’re stretchy, and they only cost $19. So they come in like three colors. So, if anybody’s interested, I already went back to Costco. They’re stretchy, so they’re good for Thanksgiving. Yeah, they’re stretchy all over. |
| Don Anthony | $5 | because the lion serves. |
PROGRAM:
John Klatt,
John, a 21-year Navy veteran and firefighter-paramedic, delivered a comprehensive 45-minute CPR and emergency response training, highlighting critical lifesaving techniques and protocol updates
He stressed the importance of recognizing medical emergencies quickly and calling 911 immediately, noting San Diego’s EMS response goal is within 6 minutes.
He told us the updated American Heart Association guidelines recommend 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute with 2 inches (5 cm) compression depth, allowing full chest recoil for effective CPR
John emphasized chest compressions over ventilations at the start, citing blood oxygen levels already present during cardiac arrest, simplifying by encouraging immediate, hard compressions.
Variations in compression-to-ventilation ratios were discussed based on patient age, with 30:2 for adults, 15:2 for children, and flexibility for fire service protocols like 10:1
The session included detailed instruction on abdominal thrusts for choking victims, differentiating techniques for adults, children, pregnant women (chest thrusts), and infants (back slaps), emphasizing aggressive intervention to clear airways.
John highlighted the risks of hesitation during CPR, noting that delayed or shallow compressions drastically reduce survival chances, and reassured that breaking ribs is acceptable compared to the risk of death.
AED Use and Protocols
John reinforced the critical role of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in cardiac arrest, explaining their function to analyze heart rhythm and deliver shocks to reset ventricular fibrillation.
AEDs should be used alongside CPR, not as a replacement, to maintain blood flow to the brain until the heart rhythm is corrected
He detailed the correct AED application process: remove clothing, use paramedic shears if needed, place pads according to diagrams, and follow the AED voice prompts.
John noted there are over 30 AED brands and 100 models, but all operate similarly with clear visual and audio instructions to guide lay rescuers.
He reassured that AED use, as well as administering aspirin or epinephrine, is protected under the Good Samaritan Act, provided actions are prudent, in good faith, and without compensation.
The availability of AEDs is widespread in public places and workplaces, and they can also be personally purchased through suppliers like AED Superstore.
Medical Insights and Medication Guidance
John explained that aspirin is the most critical drug to administer during suspected heart attacks, recommending four 81 mg chewable aspirin regardless of prior medication or conditions like blood thinners.
He clarified common misconceptions about aspirin contraindications, stating that emergency responders are expected to give aspirin unless clear terminal conditions exist.
Gender differences in heart attack symptoms were noted; women may present pain differently, requiring heightened awareness.
For anaphylaxis and airway emergencies, epinephrine (EpiPens) is considered highly forgiving and essential, with schools now mandated to have them available, including newer nasal forms
John emphasized training and familiarity with these medications as part of emergency preparedness, encouraging questions and ongoing education.
Operational and Cultural Context
John shared real-world stories and cultural touches throughout the session to emphasize practical CPR application and reduce hesitation in emergencies.
He stressed that laypersons are the most critical link in survival during cardiac arrest, as EMS arrival times mean early CPR by bystanders is vital.
The training encouraged aggressive, confident intervention, even if it means breaking ribs or causing discomfort, framing this as a cultural shift to save more lives.
John offered personal contact for further questions, promoting ongoing community engagement and empowerment.
John Klatt, AHA TCC, COO
American Safety EMT Corp
619-270-7241 Office cell
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The club was reminded of the importance of continuing education and preparedness, with plans to provide future sessions or resources as needed.
FEB 02: Regular Meeting, Noon.
FEB 09: Regular Meeting, Noon
FEB 16: DARK. All Presidents Holiday
FEB 23: Regular Meeting, Noon.
Business Meeting, NO SPEAKER
ATTENDANCE DRAWING: ____Paul Tremblay____ $___10_____
50/50 OPPORTUNITY DRAWING: _Gary Sims___$__48____
TODAY’S RIB TICKLER
Lead to serve and serve to lead
Together in service
AP Singh, International Lions President