Basic CPR skills help area mom save son's life

"We have large windows so I could see them the whole time," she said. "I glanced up and I saw that Harper looked like he was climbing back up the slide. When I looked again, he still hadn't moved, which was strange, so I raced outside to check on him."
A swinging rope on a play set had gotten wrapped around his neck and when Rebecca reached him, Harper was blue and unresponsive.
"He was unconscious and I started screaming for someone to help, but a neighbor was mowing the lawn so no one could hear me," she said. "I didn't think I could get the rope off because it was on there so tightly, but I finally got it off and ran with him to the house to get the phone."
As a former lifeguard, Rebecca said some of the basics of CPR came flooding back to her as she dialed 911.
"I knew I had to keep his head tilted back and lay him flat," she explained. "I didn't remember the proper amount of compressions or anything, but I was able to revive him and by the time the paramedics and police got there, he was breathing and awake."
She said her technique wasn't perfect but she was so thankful it did the trick.
"Knowing even a little helped keep me calm. I knew I had only myself to rely on at that moment," she said. "A lot of stay-at-home moms are often by themselves, so I think they should consider taking a course. The police were so thankful that I was not flipping out and said it really helped. The skills that I did have saved my son and made me feel not so helpless."
After the scare, there was no question about what Rebecca was going to do next. She called the Red Cross immediately to set herself up for a lesson in CPR.
"After that incident, I knew I wanted a refresher course," she said. "I just did it last Saturday at our church. It's a great idea for anyone — grandparents, baby-sitters, and especially before summer."
"Last year, we certified almost 20,000 people in CPR, auto-external defibrillation and first aid," said Kate Meier, public relations coordinator for the Greater Carolina chapter of the Red Cross. "There are two different ways you can get certified. You can do it online, which takes a few hours with a skill session following or you can do a four or six hour course in person. The length of time the certification takes depends on whether you're just doing adult certification or doing children as well or infant."
If you've already been certified, a short refresher course should be taken about every two years to brush up on your skills.
"There are a lot of courses in the area, at least 1-2 a week, so there are plenty of opportunities," Meier said. "Check out our Web site, greatercarolinasredcross.org, to see what's going on and how to register. It's important to take these classes because you never know what could happen. Look at Harper; it can happen to anyone, anywhere and CPR is imperative to know. You could get the chance to save a life."
Lake Norman Regional Medical Center is also offering the community an opportunity to learn the essential life-saving skills on June 16, from 6-10 pm at the hospital.
"We offer classes to the public every other month," said Mitzie McCurdy, Community Outreach Director for Lake Norman Regional Medical Center. "It's a one night class that open to six participants each time, taught by RN Donna Coombs, who has been at the hospital for at least as long as I have, so she's great and really experienced."
McCurdy echoed Meier and Riffle and said preparation is the key for emergency situations.
"You never know what you'll come upon and for accidents and protecting your family's well-being, CPR is important," she said.
To register for the Lake Norman Regional Medical Center's CPR class, call (704) 660-4859. The course cost is $40, plus a book fee.