A Life Saving Moment - Are You Ready?

The Big Idea

I remember September 25, 2014 like it was yesterday.  On a cool and crisp day in an Oregon forest, a coworker and I were called to duty to use our first aid training and administer CPR to a man suffering from a heart attack.  Thanks to Caterpillar Inc and the American Red Cross, we were prepared to respond to an extreme emergency.  But this Life Saving Moment was years in the making, starting with one leader's call to arms and a long term commitment to safety.

The Moment Before the Big Moment

The real big moment happened 7 years earlier.  I had recently started a position in technical services for a factory when a great leader helped me get up to speed by delivering a strong safety message to me.  During the 1st weeks on the job, he challenged me to become First Aid, CPR and AED certified and lead my team to do the same.  I complied but honestly couldn't see why this training was so important.  Little did I know how it would play a key role in my future...

The class took a half day and included First Aid basics including how to handle cuts, sprains, strains and overall site assessment.  The instruction also covered how to use CPR and an AED and most importantly, steps to take during an emergency.  Throughout the class, students share experiences and  life stories including what works and what doesn't.  It was through one of these stories that I realized with this training I could have the confidence and courage to manage an emergency situation.  According to the American Heart Association, "70 percent of Americans may feel helpless to act during a cardiac emergency because they either do not know how to administer CPR or their training has significantly lapsed."  The training and the leader that challenged me to take it provided by the American Red Cross prepared me to handle this Life Saving Moment.

Putting the Pen to the paper

Since that day over 7 years ago I have applied those basic emergency response lessons in many different situations, including that fateful day in Oregon.  I have also come to terms with a higher responsibility to humbly challenge you to be prepared.  If you have not completed First Aid, CPR and AED training, put it in your plans today.  If you have any questions regarding training, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.  If you already have been trained, challenge someone else; you don't know when you could be part of a Life Saving Moment - Are you ready?