As one of the most active non-profit organizations in Canada, the Canadian Red Cross strives to empower people who have been affected by emergencies and other challenging situations, from violence and abuse to world health issues that impact communities on a global scale.
The variety of programs that the Canadian Red Cross is engaged in around the world help make it one of the most dynamic charities in Canada, but areas where the Red Cross' work is strongly felt is in areas like first aid and CPR.
How essential is first aid and CPR? When emergencies strike, people need to act quickly and decisively in order to ensure that individuals gain vital, life-saving assistance right away. By understanding first aid and CPR, a person can use these skills to quickly provide help when it's needed most.
When it comes to emergency situations, children are among the most vulnerable. Whether you're a parent, guardian, caregiver or teacher, learning more about first aid and CPR can help keep kids safe when they're in your care and make you prepared for whatever difficult situations may occur.
Jesse's story
For parents, the idea that a child could be at risk for going into cardiac arrest or drowning may be too frightening to imagine, but unfortunately this threat is very real.
In May 2012, a Toronto mother learned how quickly an emergency can happen when her then-10-month-old son Jesse almost drowned in his grandparents' backyard pool.
Jesse's mother, Kristin, had been trained in first aid and CPR by the Canadian Red Cross, and as the incident occurred, she quickly leapt into action. With help from an off-duty police officer and a neighbour, they were able to keep Jesse alive before paramedics arrived on scene.
While Jesse would ultimately spend three months in the hospital and two months at a children's rehabilitation centre following this harrowing emergency, the little boy is now crawling on his own and even giving high fives.
The story of Jesse draws to light the very real threats to children's safety that can linger where parents least expect. A recent poll by the Canadian Red Cross revealed that while almost 98 per cent of parents pay attention to the water depth children play in, many drownings can happen in relatively shallow water, and 40 per cent of children's drowning incidents occur in less than a metre of water.
Making a difference
First aid and CPR skills can be vital when incidents occur that jeopardize the lives of children, as well as adults, and by reacting immediately in the aftermath of an emergency situation, you may be able to save a life.
However, this is only one facet of the assistance that the Canadian Red Cross provides to people across Canada and abroad. From relief in the aftermath of emergencies and disasters to programs that advocate for water safety and violence and abuse prevention, the Canadian Red Cross' humanitarian work provides individuals with much needed resources.
If you want to help the Canadian Red Cross improve the lives of those impacted by adversity, please donate online or at your local Canadian Red Cross today.
Each donation that you make allows the Red Cross to provide a vital degree of support to people who have been affected by emergencies and other incidents.