A recent article in the Lafayette Journal and Courier, entitled "Students try to improve CPR," appeared on Thursday, June 16. In the article, the work being done by Pervin Taleyarkhan and Jillian Vitter was showcased.

The two students are working with Dr. Leslie A. Geddes this summer to evaluate the precise amount of pressure needed to provide life-saving CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation). By using a simple bathroom scale, they hope to determine whether or not an untrained bystander would be able to press hard enough on a victim's chest to properly administer CPR. According to the article, 100 to 130 pounds of pressure are required; the average force an untrained person applies is about 120 pounds. Kevin Ply, deputy chief of the Purdue Fire Department is quoted as saying "The importance of doing correct compressions is critical for survival."

The full text of the article is available on the Journal and Courier's website.