Scott Gilbert received the Red Cross Rescuer Award at a special assembly held at Unity Public School Feb. 5.
Laura Beddome, Northwest Saskatchewan community outreach co-ordinator for the Canadian Red Cross, presented Gilbert, a UPS School Community Council member, with the award.
The chain of events leading up to the honour began when my son, Landon, in Grade 6 at UPS, choked on a piece of ham at the school's Christmas dinner Dec. 12, 2013.
In nominating Scott for the award, my husband Dave and I wrote: "In any given day, no matter how ordinary, we never know when people will be called up to perform extraordinary actions. Thursday, Dec. 12 at the annual SCC Christmas dinner was one of those events. It was fun, festive and somewhat chaotic. However it was also one of those defining moments that you could feel circumstances either spiral out of control or a moment to freeze in time."
During the dinner, Landon rose from his chair as his airway was obstructed by a piece of food. Rapidly changing color with only gurgling noises coming from him, Gilbert jumped into action and performed the Heimlich manoeuvre. It took two attempts to dislodge the obstruction and Landon was able to breathe again.
This incident brings awareness to the importance of first aid training and we are thankful Gilbert was there for Landon when it was needed."
Gilbert is a self-proclaimed ordinary guy, but that day he performed an extraordinary deed.
One of the things Gilbert did, that I felt afterward was immensely important, was firmly tell Landon how important it was he had motioned to someone he was choking, rather than leaving the room. People die each year from choking because they are embarrassed and leave the room, leaving others with no idea the individual is choking and making them unable to help the victim.
Gilbert knew what to do because, he said, "I took the vast majority of lifesaving/CPR training through the Red Cross swimming lessons I took every year as a kid growing up at the Unity pool. I volunteered one year as a junior lifeguard, but didn't actually become a lifeguard. I did take an additional two- or three-hour course when I was at the University of Alberta."
Gilbert has his own memories of that day.
"When I first realized that Landon was having trouble breathing, I wasn't the first person to respond. Another SCC member was closer and was the first person to attempt the Heimlich on Landon. She tried a couple times, but wasn't able to dislodge the obstruction, so I stepped in and was fortunate to be able to clear his airway. Everything happened so fast, but I do remember quickly going through the procedure in my head as I stepped in to help."
Again Gilbert credited his swimming lesson lifesaving training for his success in performing the manoeuvre.
"This has most certainly brought the need to encourage lifesaving skills training to a higher level for me. As a member of the UPS School Community Council, we sponsor and support a number of hot lunches at the school throughout the year and this has put the need for updated training on our immediate agenda," he said.
Gilbert also expressed the need for minor sports coaches to be more highly trained in this area.
"My kids also now have a real life scenario that shows them that everything they are taking in swimming lessons is important and you never know when the skills they are learning today may be needed years in the future." he says.
Gilbert says he is glad he was there when Landon needed help.
"The scope of the situation really didn't hit me until later that day when I had time to think about what might have happened if I didn't have the training that I acquired many years ago."
As a parent who witnessed this scary incident, I spent the better part of that afternoon vibrating with anxiety from all the "what ifs." You go about your life every day, never knowing how you will react in a situation like this, and hoping there will be someone in your midst who can jump to your aid if needed.
Nominating Gilbert for the award was our way of showing appreciation.
When word that he would be recognized came, UPS principal Karalyn Brown agreed with the value of a "teachable moment." The presentation as an opportunity for students, parents, SCC members and teachers to see how valuable these lifesaving skills are.
During the assembly, Beddome told the students the Red Cross is in the business of training heroes who can react and respond quickly and effectively. Because one never knows when something might happen, lifesaving skills are valuable tools.
The Red Cross Rescuer Award is the Society's highest First Aid award and is awarded to non-professional rescuers or off-duty first responders.
Red Cross First Aid training is available from qualified Red Cross training partners who offer courses on a regular basis in communities throughout Saskatchewan.
The official Canadian Red Cross First Aid app is also available for Apple and android mobile devices. The Red Cross says the app helps individuals maintain first aid skills and respond to everyday emergencies.
According to the Red Cross, it takes only four to six minutes after breathing stops for permanent brain damage to occur. Knowing how to respond could mean the difference between full recovery and disability or even death. For more information about Red Cross, First Aid training and how to find a course, and Rescuer Awards and how to nominate someone you know visit www.redcross.ca.
