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Health and Safety Services—Teaching Lifesaving and Emergency Preparedness Skills

In Wickenburg, Arizona, a four-year-old girl who took an American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim class saves her friend’s life.

Red Cross Health and Safety Services is the premier provider of education, training and products that enable people to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and other life-threatening emergencies. Our Red Cross experts design, monitor and update the training programs we offer to workplaces and communities through local Red Cross chapters. Through these classes, we empower nearly 11 million people a year to perform extraordinary acts in the face of emergencies. Our programs and services include the following:

Aquatics, such as basic swim lessons, lifeguarding and water safety
First Aid/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
Care giving, including Babysitter's Training
HIV/AIDS Education

Six-year-old Audrey Crawford and four-year-old Abby Burgason learned a life-saving lesson during a Learn-to-Swim class at their community pool in Wickenburg, Ariz. The class introduces children, ages 4-7, to water skills.

Abby Burgason, with her friend Audrey Crawford, several years after Abby saved Audrey's life. Photo by Tracey Kiest - American Red Cross

One part of the class focuses on helping someone struggling in the water. The technique involves lying down on your belly, reaching out a hand, talking to the victim, securing her hand and pulling the victim to safety. After learning the rescue technique in the Red Cross class, Abby used it to save her friend, Audrey.

"I thought the bottom of the pool was a lot closer than it was," Audrey recalled. In over her head, the young girl struggled to stay afloat and wave for help at the same time. "I remember seeing Abby's hand through the splashing water so I grabbed it," said Audrey.

Audrey's mother was just a few feet away from the pool, but separated by the fence. "Terrifying," is how she later described the scene. "My heart stopped when I saw Audrey fall in the water," she said. "I was so amazed when I saw Abby move into action to help. To see such a little person do such a big thing is simply amazing!"

Donations to support Health and Safety Services save lives by providing the resources—the facilities, equipment and programs—we need to teach people like Abby how to help when help can’t wait.

Each year the American Red Cross of Northwest Indiana Chapter teaches basic preparedness skills to over 21,000 local residents. Some of our certifications are required for professional licensure and these preparedness classes help people to stay employed, earn a good household income, and contribute significantly to overall safety at home, in the workplace, and throughout our communities.

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