New CPR class in the works at AGMC
The grim statistics are: two children under age 4 die every week in the United States from the type of accident suffered by 2-1/2-year-old David Haller.
According to Consumer Reports magazine, “These unthinkable tragedies are happening most often in the driveway of the child’s home and in 70 percent of the incidents the driver of the vehicle is their parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or older sibling.”
Convinced her son might not even be alive today without cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Nairmeen Haller has a mission, which she is already pursuing with a passion. Her goal is to develop a CPR program designed to educate all new parents going through the New Life Center at Akron General Medical Center (AGMC).
The Hallers took an abbreviated CPR course before the birth of their first child seven years ago. As a result of having taken that training, “When Peepers (David) was hurt and not breathing, I automatically knew what to do and did it until the paramedics arrived and took over,” Nairmeen said.
She is already working with the administration at AGMC toward implementation of the CPR program, which may be in place within the next year. This will not be a complete Red Cross CPR program, and there will be no certification.
However, as Nairmeen added, “This course will provide enough training to make a difference between trying to help and being helpless.”
— By Rita Jean Wagar
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