Rankin Inlet

Knowing what to do during the few short moments of a medical emergency can often be the difference between life and death, especially when an infant is involved, said Rankin Inlet Fire Chief Mark Wyatt, who will be conducting an infant CPR course in Rankin during the upcoming month.

This will mark the third time during the past two years the fire department has held the infant CPR course, which is aimed primarily at new parents and those who care for children on a regular basis such as a babysitter.

Wyatt said far too often new parents donSA国际影视传媒檛 know what action to take when thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a health problem with their child.

He said during the past two years, heSA国际影视传媒檚 responded three times to a hysterical call for help from a parent whose child is having extreme difficulty breathing.

SA国际影视传媒淚 often arrive at the scene to find the baby either tightly swaddled or laying on the floor and no one is doing anything,SA国际影视传媒� said Wyatt.

SA国际影视传媒淧arents often donSA国际影视传媒檛 how know how to properly take care of their child when he or she falls ill, especially in a crisis situation.

SA国际影视传媒淪o the purpose of the course is to educate new parents and people with infants and young children on what to do in the event of an emergency.SA国际影视传媒�

Wyatt said in the south, people who are about to have kids often attend prenatal classes, especially when itSA国际影视传媒檚 their first child, to figure out what to expect when having a baby.

But, even then, he said, heSA国际影视传媒檚 not sure how deeply such classes get into how to properly care fot the child after itSA国际影视传媒檚 born, or if they do at all.

SA国际影视传媒淗onestly, every single person in this community should sit through a two-day first aid/CPR course.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 not just kids who die. Adults can go into cardiac arrest at anytime and people just donSA国际影视传媒檛 know what to do.

SA国际影视传媒淗owever, weSA国际影视传媒檙e simply not equipped to be able to teach everyone in the community first aid, which is unfortunate because you want to be able to react immediately when someone is in distress, especially when itSA国际影视传媒檚 a child.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e seen just about everything you can possibly imagine in the time that ISA国际影视传媒檝e been doing this. When itSA国际影视传媒檚 a baby youSA国际影视传媒檙e trying to save SA国际影视传媒� and theySA国际影视传媒檙e all about two or three months old SA国际影视传媒� and you just canSA国际影视传媒檛 bring that baby back, itSA国际影视传媒檚 tough. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 really hard to take.SA国际影视传媒�

Wyatt said the previous two infant CPR courses were filled to capacity with a maximum of 14 participants.

He said a number of people signed-up for the course at the Rankin Inlet Fire Rescue EMS booth during the annual health fair at the community hall in Rankin on May 7 and 8, but he hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 had time to go through the names just yet.

SA国际影视传媒淚 understand a number of kids signed-up and, if theySA国际影视传媒檙e old enough to babysit, weSA国际影视传媒檒l take all of them for the course, as well, because itSA国际影视传媒檚 really important for them to know how to perform CPR.

SA国际影视传媒淚n my opinion, it should really be something thatSA国际影视传媒檚 offered in the middle school (Simon Alaittuq School).

SA国际影视传媒� I know they do it in the high school (Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik), but middle school is a good opportunity for them to learn, as well.SA国际影视传媒�

Wyatt said his department sends representatives to the health fair every year.

He said they take full advantage of the funding they receive for everything from being on-hand for activities such as the health fair and the Kivalliq Trade Show, to first responder training and first aid training.

SA国际影视传媒淭he health fair is a good opportunity for us to be involved and highlight some of the stuff we do in the community in terms of helping to keep people safe.

SA国际影视传媒淚 mean, weSA国际影视传媒檙e not feeding anyone healthy food but weSA国际影视传媒檙e the first ones there when they get sick.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 looking forward to delivering the infant CPR course, along with some of my medics, this coming month.

SA国际影视传媒淚t will all be organized and run in-house.SA国际影视传媒�