MILFORD, Conn. (WTNH) – A 6-year-old Florida boy was recently saved by his mother after his heart stopped when he was hit by a baseball.
The situation was similar to what happened to Buffalo Bills football player Damar Hamlin on the field last year. This underscores the need for families to know CPR or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
While listening to instructions and practicing new moves, participants in a class at the Red Cross in Milford recently learned to save lives.
“It’s knowledge you should have. You never know what could ever happen,” said Autumn Niznansky of Trumbull.
“It’s extremely important,” said Robert Hoffman, a trainer and instructor with the Connecticut chapter of the American Red Cross.
Hoffman teaches CPR, leading participants through chest compressions and the delivery of rescue breaths.
“If someone has a heart attack, it could manifest into cardiac arrest and by someone in the family knowing what to do, they can definitely improve a person’s chance of survival,” Hoffman said.
Recently, 6 -year-old Oscar Stuebe stopped breathing when he was hit in the chest by a pop fly while playing baseball in Florida.
His mom jumped-in and performed CPR.
“I’m a nurse, I’ve done it once before in a hospital setting but never as a mom to my own child,” Sarah Stuebe told the City of West Palm Beach.
Firefighters took over and the boy has made a full recovery.
The family is now raising awareness about the importance of chest protectors and knowing how to perform CPR.
“Tap the green button and wait for directions,” Hoffman said as he taught participants how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) to deliver an electric shock to restore heart rhythm to normal.
“The instructor was really good and I learned a lot, actually,” said Jonathan Murray of Branford.
Participants left the class feeling competent and ready to help when needed.
“I feel like I’m accomplished and ready to be out there and if I need to use it, I probably can,” Murray said.
It’s recommended that people re-certify in CPR every two years. Immediate CPR can double or triple the chance of survival.
Visit the Red Cross website to look for classes in the Connecticut area.
