For the second year in a row, June 25th is blackened by the drowning death of a young child.
Last year, a 7 year old died while on a field trip with his school's daycare. Similarly, this year a nine year old boy has drowned while on a school field trip to a water park just north of Montreal in what was supposed to be a celebration of the end of the school year. Click here for the full story.
Perhaps the day after St Jean Baptiste should become a 'drowning awareness' day. Timing would be perfect as it coincides with the start of the summer season when children and adults alike spend more time near the water. Boating safety. Waterpark safety. Backyard swimming pool safety. Safety near the country-house's lake. Pools can offer swimming lessons and water safety workshops. Parents can take CPR classes.
Jonathan Halpert, former National Lifeguard Instructor and the current director of CPR Instructor's Network Canada, spoke with CJAD's dan laxer about the importance of swimming lessons but noted swimming lessons alone do not drown-proof a child. Educations must be accompanied by vigilent supervision when in or around water as well as removal of dangers (this can be designated swim areas or using proper safety equipment like a life-jacket). Knowing CPR and what to do in an emergency is a must.
The CPR Instructor's Network offers all level of CPR courses, including 'Family and Friends CPR', "HeartSaver CPR' and courses with AED defibrillator training... all of which can easily be taught at your location or ours. Pool Safety Inspections and Safety Lectures are also available.
June 23, 2010 Are you prepared: Earthquake shakes Montreal and area
At approximately 1:45pm today, an earthquake rocked Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto areas. The 5.5 magnitude earthquake was centered in the city of Buckingham, Quebec in the Outaouais region. Tremors could be felt in Montreal, Quebec and the Toronto area.The quake lasted 10-to-30 seconds. There were no reports of damage or deaths in the city.
Following the earthquake, most people were talking about it... where they were; being uncertain if it actually was an earthquake; unaware of what to do during an earthquake (stand between a doorway or hide under a bed). This raises a few important question: what if the disaster was worse? what if power was knocked out for a day or two or longer? what if roadways and evacuation routes were not functional? what if people were hurt? do you have an emergency action plan? do you have eemergency resources available at home (flashlight, food, blanket...)?
Being prepared for emergencies are important. Hopefully action plans and training will never have to be put into use, but knowing what to do is important.
A good place to start getting prepared is to take a CPR class. Or, perhaps even gather supplies for a First Aid Kit.
The CPR Instructor's Network can help: CPR and safety classes, emergency equipment, aed defibrillators, action plans, and more... Call us for all your emergency preparedness needs. www.CPRNETWORK.ca
March 13, 2010 2010-03-12 More CPR training, defibrillators can save more lives
On Friday march 12, 2010, a coronor's inquest into the schoolyard death of a 12 year old boy concluded that more CPR training and more defibrillators could have made a difference in the boys outcome, and can definitely save more lives. Click here for the full story.
At the CPR Instructor's Network, we feel sad that the death of a young boy and a formal inquiry was required to conclude the obvious. Our students are often in awe when told less than 10% of the population in Montreal is certified in CPR. The CPR Instructor's Network has been working for years with high schools and elementary schools, driving schools and community groups promoting CPR, providing training, and educationg about the importance of early defibrillation and public access defibrillator programs. At the moment, our nations capital Ottawa, has 10 times the amount of public access defibrillators compared to Montreal.
It is unfortunate that most people take a cpr and/or first aid course either due to government regulations (such as to abide by CSST rules for the workplace in Quebec) or after a lifethreatening emergency of a loved-one (such as after a relative has had a heart attack).
Imagine if the people around you were better able and better equiped to respond to an emergency. CPR and AED training can be accomplished in just a few short hours, and, with a drastic decrease in the cost of AED defibrillators over the past 10 years, a defibrillator can be purchased even for home use. There is really no excuse why a larger portion of our population is not trained in the life saving skills of CPR, and AED defibbrilators are on there way to becoming a standard of care.
For CPR training or AED purchases and needs, the CPR Instructor's Network is the industry leader.
August 22, 2009 2009-08-20 Another Drowning in Montreal
2009-08-20 Within the past three weeks, there has been 2 near drownings and 2 actual drownings of children in the Montreal area. The most recent case occured today: ``Child Dies One Day After Being Pulled From Cote-St-Luc Pool`` Click here for the full story.
Jonathan Halpert, former National Lifeguard Instructor and the current director of CPR Instructor's Network Canada states parents are responsible for their children when in or around a pool, be it a backyard pool or a city public pool. Being near the pool is not enough; Parents must ensure they or someone responsible and capable are supervising their child. Lifeguards cannot watch every person in the pool at the same time. If a youngchild or weak swimmer is not within arms reach, then they are too far from you.
In addition, parents must know what to do in case of emergency, namely, learn CPR. This weeks events, although tragic, must serve as a wake-up call to parents. Even when at a public pool, the lifeguards may not be readily available or nearby to respond to emergencies.
July 27, 2009 2009-07-20 Pool Safety Rules: 4-Sided Fencing
2009-07-20: New backyard pool safety rules requiring four-sided fencing, were announced today and will be under Provincial regulations. Click here to see the full story.
Jonathan Halpert, former National Lifeguard Instructor and the current director of CPR Instructor's Network Canada hopes these new rules will not give pool owners and parents a false sense of security. "Removing direct access to the pool is just one aspect of prevention," states Halpert. "Enclosing the pool area does not take away the all important need of proper supervision of children around a pool area. Educating yourself in CPR and what to do in case of life-threatening emergencies is also a crucial step to prevention and ensuring safety"
The CPR Instructor's Network offers all level of CPR courses, including 'Family and Friends CPR', "HeartSaver CPR' and courses with AED defibrillator training... all of which can easily be taught at your location or ours. Pool Safety Inspections and Safety Lectures are also available.
July 27, 2009 2009-06-25 Boy Drowns On Field Trip With Camp
2009-06-25: The summer season has just begun, and already top news stories include the sad death of a child - "Boy Drowns On Field Trip With Camp" A 7-year-old boy has drowned while on a trip with his school's day care on Tuesday June 25, 2009, Click here to see the full story.
Jonathan Halpert, former National Lifeguard Instructor and the current director of CPR Instructor's Network Canada states that most drownings can be prevented. "Prevention is a three pronged process," he states, involving supervision, removal of dangers, and education. SUPERVISION: if you cannot watch your children, make sure some qualified and capable is; Do not rely on a lifeguard at a pool or beach to be your babysitter. REMOVAL OF DANGERS: for a pool area, this can include gates, motion sensors, and fences. EDUCATION: first and foremost, if you have a backyard pool or care for children, educate yourself by learning CPR and what to do in case of lifethreatening emergencies; teach water safety rules to the children (such as never swim alone, and only swim in known waters); have your children participate in swimming lessons.
The CPR Instructor's Network offers all level of CPR courses, including 'Family and Friends CPR', "HeartSaver CPR' and courses with AED defibrillator training... all of which can easily be taught at your location or ours. Pool Safety Inspections and Safety Lectures are also available.