As the country's leading charitable organization, the Canadian Red Cross plays a significant role in preventing emergencies and disasters through a range of incredible programs and services.
By offering a wide variety of First Aid and CPR courses, the Canadian Red Cross has helped countless of Canadians gain the skills and knowledge needed to respond to life-threatening incidents wherever they strike.
For one man, the effective bystander CPR training he received through the Canadian Red Cross gave him the confidence and ability needed to act quickly and decisively in the face of adversity.
Bran's story
While visiting his family in Windsor, Ontario, Bran Simon was faced with an unexpected challenge. The sounds of people yelling and crying drew him to an unlikely scene in the apartment building they were staying - a man spread out on the ground with no vital signs.
This terrifying scene may have caused some people to panic, but thanks to the first aid and CPR training he received through the Canadian Red Cross, Bran knew precisely how to respond. After clearing the area around the man, he began performing CPR.
The man's relatives assisted Bran as he continued to provide CPR until emergency staff arrived on scene. Once the medics took the man, he was airlifted to a hospital located nearby. He eventually began breathing again - were in not for Bran's quick-thinking under distress and the skills he gained through the Canadian Red Cross, the man may not have been so fortunate.
First aid and CPR save lives
Bran's remarkable story underscores a vital fact - it only takes one moment to make a difference in the life of someone in need. While some people may never be called upon to act in the way Bran was, nearly 60 per cent of Canadians who have had to perform first aid did so on a family member.
The Canadian Red Cross offers a variety of first aid and CPR courses around the country that can meet the demands of one's busy life or work schedule. From standard training to classes specifically devoted to emergency response, the Canadian Red Cross provides a range of programs to best fit a person's needs.
Make a difference today
With first aid and CPR training, you and your loved ones can acquire invaluable skills that could make a difference in the life of someone in need.
As the source of Canada's most comprehensive emergency training courses, the Canadian Red Cross will help you gain essential knowledge and understanding about what to do when disaster strikes and allow you to build confidence in your abilities.
To sign up for a class today, please visit us online or contact your local Canadian Red Cross office today to learn more.