Montana Red Cross: Learn how to save a life

Would you know what to do if someone right next to you went into cardiac arrest? Or if someone you love started choking?

In an emergency, it’s most often regular people like you and me that that are the “first responders.” Every year the American Red Cross hears many of their stories, such as those of Lindsey Nies, Linda Jones and Chris McGill.

A lifesaving friend

Lindsey Nies was just back in school after being out for a concussion she suffered during a basketball game. She was eating lunch with some friends when one of the girls started choking. Her friends asked, “Are you OK? Are you OK?” But the girl began to turn red and was no longer able to respond or cough.

Although still a high school student in Patrobe, Penn., at the time, Nies was already a certified instructor of CPR and first aid. She earned her certification through the American Red Cross a a couple of years earlier.

Nies stepped in and administered five back blows, which was enough to dislodge the object. Because of her quick actions, her friend was quickly back to normal and did not need medical attention.

“I was actually really scared because she’s one of my best friends,” Nies recalled. “If I wouldn’t have been able to save her, that would have killed me — but everything’s OK!”

Coming to the rescue

Paul Nackers arrived at work at Caterpillar in East Peoria, Ill. Within minutes of getting to his desk, he suffered a heart attack and went into cardiac arrest. Luckily, his colleagues knew what to do and rushed to his side.

One co-worker, Linda Jones, began rescue breaths while another employee performed chest compressions. Meanwhile, another Caterpillar employee, Chris McGill, was leaving the building when someone stopped him and asked if he could assist in the rescue.

Someone brought an AED to the scene, and after applying the pads to Nackers’s chest, McGill administered two shocks. Emergency personnel arrived and took over, and Nackers was taken to the hospital, a fortunate survivor.

Both Linda Jones and Chris McGill were trained in American Red Cross CPR/AED. McGill is also a Red Cross instructor in first aid, CPR and AED. Taking a first aid/CPR/AED course will give you the skills you need to save a life — possibly the life of a loved one. Sign up for a class today.

Anna Fernandez-Gevaert is the regional communications director for the American Red Cross of Idaho and Montana. She can be reached anna.fernandezgevaert@redcross.org.