About Joe

Joe

Meet Joe: Founder, Chief Instructor, and Janitor

The Joe Story

Joe didn’t choose CPR — CPR chose him.

Back in 2002, Joe was working as an assistant manager at a local retail chain when he decided to get CPR certified “just in case.” Little did he know that “just in case” would become his life’s calling.

After successfully performing the Heimlich maneuver on a customer choking on free sample cheese cubes, Joe realized he had found his purpose. Six months later, he cashed in his 401(k), rented a small storage unit (which he later upgraded to the current shack), and Joe’s CPR Shack was born.

Credentials You Can Trust (Probably)

  • Certified CPR Instructor (2002-Present, renewed most years)
  • First Aid Trained (Certificate is around here somewhere)
  • OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Took the course online)
  • Food Handler’s Permit (From previous job, still valid)
  • Associates Degree in Business Management (ITT Technical Institute, 1998)

The Philosophy

At Joe’s CPR Shack, we believe that life-saving skills shouldn’t require a mortgage. Joe keeps costs low by:

  • Operating out of an affordable location
  • Providing a no-frills learning experience
  • Reusing training materials until they absolutely can’t be reused anymore
  • Occasionally combining classes when enrollment is light

Beyond the Shack

When he’s not teaching CPR, Joe enjoys:

  • Fantasy football (3-time league champion)
  • Posting on community Facebook groups
  • Collecting vintage CPR training videos on VHS
  • His 2003 Honda Civic (203,000 miles and counting)

Community Involvement

Joe’s CPR Shack is proud to support:

  • The annual Route 9 Community Yard Sale (vendor since 2005)
  • Local high school sports programs (unofficial sponsor)
  • The 7-Eleven where we get our coffee every morning

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Joe a doctor? A: No, but he did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once.

Q: How long has the shack been in this location? A: Since 2008, when we upgraded from the storage unit.

Q: Can Joe teach other first aid skills? A: Joe specializes in CPR but can show you how to apply a bandage in a pinch.

Q: Is the shack haunted? A: Joe says no, but Resusci-Randy does make weird noises sometimes.

“I’m just a guy who knows CPR and wants to share that knowledge with others, preferably for a small fee.” - Joe