The Canadian Red Cross presented a Rescuer Award to North Battleford resident Gregg Sheppard at a ceremony during a recent meeting of Battleford Search and Rescue.
"The goal of the Red Cross Rescuer Award is to recognize the efforts of 'good Samaritans' and at the same time promote important injury prevention messages," said Laura Beddome, Community Outreach co-ordinator with the Canadian Red Cross. "I am very pleased we were able to recognize Gregg, who exhibited the power of humanity by voluntarily responding to assist two people in two separate emergencies."
Sheppard received the award for using his Red Cross First Aid and CPR skills to save the life of his brother-in-law and a local elderly person. Both experienced heart attacks. It was through his involvement with Battleford Search and Rescue that Sheppard was trained in Red Cross First Aid and CPR.
Sheppard also received an award from St. John Ambulance at a ceremony last year for his effort.
Red Cross Rescuer Awards, sponsored by Walmart, are presented to non-professional rescuers or off-duty first responders who have: volunteered to save a life; prevented further injury and/or provided comfort to the injured; or are children who were not trained but provided help.
Red Cross encourages individuals to consider learning first aid and CPR. Knowing how to recognize a heart attack and administer CPR could mean the difference between full recovery and permanent disability or even death. With training, you could be the somebody that saves a life.
For more information about Red Cross or to nominate someone for a Rescuer Award please visit www.redcross.ca.
