CPR Training

So what did everyone receive for Christmas, Hanukkah and your holidays this year? Some new clothes, gadgets, toys for your children and grandchildren.

Here are a few people in New York who received the ultimate present, the gift of life because of another persons training in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

In October 2012 an anonymous Good Samaritan provided CPR to a 40-year-old tourist who was walking down 6th Avenue in New York City with his family. Hospital officials said he survived due to quick CPR.

On Aug. 6, 2014, a New York City police officer saved a 2-month-old by doing CPR. The baby was taken to Montifiore Hospital and survived.

Oct. 1, 2014, a Duchess County police officer found a father with his 22 month old baby who was not breathing and performed CPR on the way to the hospital. Hospital officials credit the officer's quick actions with baby's survival.

These are just three of many success stories that happened throughout New York when people trained in CPR techniques acted quickly and made a difference. Governor Eric Paul and I know how important it is for every Kiwanian to learn basic CPR and the steps to take during a medical emergency, that is why the District Kiwanis CPR Initiative is so important.

We are asking each Kiwanis club to host or sponsor a community CPR class. Call your local volunteer rescue squad, Red Cross or American Heart Association chapter and see if you can work with them to offer an inexpensive basic CPR class for your members and the community.

If you are coming to the Mid-Winter Conference and would like to take a community CPR class, we will be offering it on Saturday, Feb. 21 from 8:30 a.m. until noon. This will be an American Heart Association Heart Saver CPR and AED training which will include a student manual and certification card. If you, your club and family members are interested in taking the class at Mid-Winter or would like more information on sponsoring your own class, please feel free to contact me and I will do everything possible to help. You can e-mail me at Louis@Lessons-for-Life.com or find me on Facebook under Lessons for Life: CPR and First Aid Training or the Kiwanis Club of Staten Island.

Kiwanians are without a doubt the most generous and charitable people throughout the world. Let's give our communities something different. Let's give ourselves and our communities the CPR training to possibly save another person's life. Is there any other gift more valuable then giving a person another chance at life? CPR saves lives - Learn it!

Column Posted on Web Site February 1, 2015