Drowning: 2nd Leading Cause of Death Among Children

We continue our weeklong series of stories that could save your life.  We're talking about CPR, and the importance of pool and water safety, especially with summer fast approaching.

Pools are opening up next month, and the kids are going to be out of school.  Now CPR instructors are stressing the importance of being CPR certified because often times, you only have a few seconds to react to save a life.  Some shocking numbers from the CDC....In 2004, there were over 3,000 drowning deaths across the country.
 
Now, drowning is the second-leading cause of accidental deaths for children.  Thursday, we spoke with CPR instructor Brigitte Ames at the Red Cross and she says only 3% of all Americans know CPR.
 
"That's a breathing emergency that's gone into this severe stage of a cardiac arrest.   It's awful, because it could have been prevented.  Like I said, it only takes a couple seconds, you just have to turn your back for an instant." 

Some tips on giving CPR to an infant or small child...Ames says only blow the amount of air you can hold in the pockets of your cheeks into their lungs.  But of course, the CPR course is much more extensive.  For a full CPR class, you can contact the Lubbock Red Cross at 765-8534...or visit lubbock.redcross.org.

American Red Cross
(806) 765-8534
$50-basic
$60-professional