Preparation saved a life

Certified and ready for duty

Teri, office manager for a construction company in Battle Ground, WA, told session four of the Leadership Development Lab...

"Back in 1997, I was fortunate enough to own and operate an in-home daycare, along with my neighbor who lived behind me. We had a hidden latch in the fence that allowed two wooden slats to open up for access to one another. We often combined the children for activities.

"One of Washington state licensing requirements is that all daycare providers are certified and can administer CPR and other emergency lifesaving procedures.

"It was a hot summer afternoon. I had just finished cleaning up after lunch, had put the babies down for a nap, and the older children were resting on mats as they always did each day after lunch.

"I sat down to complete my daily paperwork, when I heard the shrillest scream I had ever heard coming from outside. I ran to the back door and saw my neighbor coming through the fence. She was holding a 21-month old by the arms and both of them were soaking wet. My heart dropped. I knew instantly what had happened. The 21-month-old little boy had somehow climbed over or crawled under her pool fence, and she had found his lifeless body face down in the swimming pool.

"My neighbor was so distraught that she wasn't able to think or act reasonably. I ran outside, took the lifeless little one in my arms and laid his little body on the ground. I began performing CPR. It wasn't long before I heard one of the sweetest sounds I have ever heard, a small gurgling sound followed by a cough. Then I actually saw life enter back into those precious little eyes. He and we had had a real scare. Aside from that he was just fine and went home with his family completely unharmed.

"The lesson I learned that day is the importance of being prepared for life's unexpected emergencies. When I am prepared, I can act rationally and my compassion and caring can be life-saving.

"The action I call you to take is when you have the opportunity to learn emergency procedures don't hesitate for a moment. Pay careful attention to every detail of the instruction. You never know when you may need it. The training will prepare you to be calm in the center of the storm of crisis.

"The benefit you will gain is a kind of confidence that comes when you are prepared for life's uncertainties. You never know when you will need it. You might even save a precious life."