LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A 2014 resolution: Learn to save a life

1/26/2014

The new year is well under way, and many people probably have ditched their New Year’s resolutions. The American Red Cross of Northwest Ohio offers people the chance to redeem themselves by making a back-up resolution — to save a life.

People should picture themselves leaving a movie theater, going to the gym, having a snowball fight with friends, or having lunch at one of Toledo’s restaurants. Suddenly, a co-worker starts choking on a slice of bread, a man collapses, or someone falls down steps.

Would someone who sees these things feel helpless because he or she lacks the skills to do the right thing at a moment’s notice to save a life?

The Red Cross urges people to be prepared with that knowledge by making a resolution to take one of our first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation courses. They teach people to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies, to care for cuts and burns, to aid a choking victim, and to avoid further damage in the event of neck, head, and back injuries.

The Red Cross offers a portion of its courses online, so people can take them in their pajamas on the couch. A list of available courses and registration information is available at redcross.org/​takeaclass or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

More than 6,000 people in northwest Ohio took our courses and learned to save a life in 2013. To those who ditched their resolutions: Don’t miss this chance to redeem yourself and make a resolution count.

TIM YENRICK

Regional Chief Executive Officer American Red Cross of Northwest Ohio West Central Avenue