There are a few things in life that are simply necessary to know.

Changing a tire, learning to drive and managing your money are all valuable tools in the average person’s arsenal of important knowledge.

But none may be more important than knowing CPR and first aid.

City of Vicksburg facility manager/aquatics director Sylvia Gurtowski agrees, which is why her department is offering a class to learn the essential skill on an as-needed basis, with the latest one beginning Feb. 28.

The class, which will last between four and five hours, includes adult and pediatric CPR, AED and first aid treatment, costs $85 and is accepting students now.

“The need was pretty great, so we got to where we were able to provide the class for a relatively low cost,” she said. “Taking this course will not make you a doctor and it will not make you a paramedic, but you’ll know if you need to take your child to the hospital. Walking down the street, you never know what you’re going to run into. You could be at the store and someone could fall out.”

Students earn a two-year certification for completing the class and will also be given a first aid book to take home with them. It’s not just for potential lifeguards, either. Gurtowski knows putting the knowledge learned in the class to use can happen at any given moment on any given day.

It’s especially useful for new parents who want to be able to treat their children if something happens without professional help present.

“For parents, if you’ve got young children, anything can happen to a child. You need to be as prepared as possible,” she said. “One of the preparations you should make is knowing child CPR and know first aid.”

Participants in the course have gone on to save lives and, in less extreme cases, become more comfortable knowing they are able to know what to do if an emergency strikes.

The class must have six participants to be taught and students can register inside the offices of the city pool. Gurtowski and a handful of other trainers will be on hand to assist those who sign up, and those who are already CPR-certified can earn their re-certification on an individual basis.

“Anything can happen on any given day,” Gurtowski said. “If you’re prepared, you can help save a life.”