CPR

This morning, several people from our church including my husband, oldest daughter and I took the recertification class for CPR (Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation). Our church has a kid safe policy and therefore needs to have an adult who is currently certified in CPR at each event involving children or youth at our church. It was time for the two year recertification process for many of us so our church as a whole sponsored a class today. I have stressed to our daughter, Mary, how important it is to know CPR. You never know when you will need to use it and you do not want to stand helplessly by while someone you know and love is laying there dying.

Initial certification involves a longer time period but once you are certified you can learn how to do CPR as well as how to rescue someone who is choking. A few hours every two years is not asking for much time commitment. There is not an age requirement to learn CPR but participants must be able to demonstrate all the skills and pass with at least an 80% the written test. Mary took her first CPR course at the age of 11 when she went to the babysitter training offered by the American Red Cross.

I would encourage you to either find an initial certification program through your local Red Cross Chapter if you have never had a class in it. If you are certified in CPR but it has expired, find a recertification class and take it. You never know whose life you may save.