Infant and Child CPR and Choking Prevention Class Offered
The life you save with CPR is most likely to be a loved one, according to the American Heart Association.
-Four out of five cardiac arrests happen at home.
– Statistically speaking, if called on to administer CPR in an emergency, the life you save is likely to be someone at home: a child, a spouse, a parent or a friend.
Heidi Kuite shared her story about CPR saving her 10 month old son in 2008 on the AHA web site.
In less than 30 seconds Heidi Kuite’s 10-month-old son silently slipped under six inches of bath water. Zayden had gotten out of his safety bath seat when Heidi went to get a towel. Seconds later, he was submerged.
Heidi’s husband Anthony returned to check on the baby and quickly pulled him out of the water. Zayden’s lips were blue and he wasn’t breathing. Anthony started giving breaths and called for his wife. Heidi had taken a CPR course four years earlier and knew what to do: immediately start CPR. Meanwhile, a family friend called 9-1-1. “I was praying as I was giving him CPR,” she says.
Zayden regained consciousness and was taken to the hospital. He was released just four hours later. In August he celebrates his 8th birthday. Heidi still chokes up when she tells the story.
“Don’t ever walk away from your baby in the bathtub, not even for a second,” Heidi says. “I think that everybody should learn CPR. It doesn’t take that long to do it, and it could save a life.”
The Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition invites all parents and caregivers to attend an Infant/Child CPR and Choking Prevention class. You will learn invaluable life-saving skills. The class will be held on Wednesday, September 30, at the Gato Building (1100 Simonton St) from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.
There is a $25 registration fee payable by cash or check on the day of the class or participants may pay by credit card in advance at KeysHealthyStart.org. The class is for adults only and no child care will be provided. Space is limited and prior registration is required by calling (305) 293-8424 at least 2 days in advance.
In addition to instruction on infant/child CPR and choking assistance, the class will briefly cover shaken baby prevention, poison control and home safety. To keep the cost affordable, participants will NOT receive American Heart Association certification, however, the class is taught by a certified Instructor and will cover the same information.
“We are committed to making sure that babies in the Keys are born healthy and have a safe future,” said Arianna Nesbitt, Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition CEO. “Hosting this CPR class is just one more way we can assist parents in ensuring their child’s safety. Since nearly 90% of cardiac incidents occur at home, attending this class will give parents the skills that may save their child or loved one’s life in an emergency situation.”
The Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition helps families before, during and after pregnancy. For more information on the upcoming classes or any of our other free programs, please contact 305-293-8424 or [email protected]. We believe every baby deserves a healthy start, as well as a safe future.