Knowing Pet First Aid Can Save Your Best Friend’s Life
Newton, NJ, August 02, 2010 — Chris Thompson never expected to use lifesaving measures to resuscitate her swimming pup, while on what was supposed to be a fun trip to the water. Thankfully, she was prepared when a leisurely afternoon on the lake quickly turned into a terrifying ordeal.
Jade, her 17-year old cow dog and spaniel mixed breed is normally at home in the water; nicknamed “fish herder”, Jade swims with the agility of a puppy. He didn’t even start to wear a lifejacket until he turned 13, and only then as a precaution. Swimming is Jade’s therapy for his aging body. He takes a dip at least once a day in the local lake, which helps ease his aging muscles. He is trained to swim to the dock ladder and touch it with his paw when he is ready to get out.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary about the swim on the Fourth of July. After swimming for about an hour, Thompson pulled Jade out of the water, took off his life jacket, and laid him down for his routine nap in the boat. When she left the boat and stepped onto the dock for a moment, Jade tried to jump off to follow.
Instead of landing safely on the dock, Jade lost footing and fell into the water. Slipping under the pontoon boat, which was next to the dock, Jade was unable to find the surface. Thompson jumped in to retrieve Jade but could not find him. She searched and searched and finally found a ball of wet fur that she quickly pulled to the surface.
Jade wasn’t breathing. As a veteran Red Cross volunteer, Thompson sprang into action. She knew she needed to clear his lungs of water, so she held Jade with his head lower than his back end, - squeezing his chest and administering First Aid until Jade coughed up water and began to breathe again.
Thompson knew that she could resuscitate Jade using the mouth to snout CPR technique but the primary issue was getting the water out of his lungs. He was under the water for approximately 20-30 seconds.
Chris recounts several lessons she learned from this nightmare scenario.
“Just like a child, even if they are not intending to swim, pets should have a life jacket on,” said Thompson.
She also added, “You actually can revive a dog if you react quickly enough. You just need to know how to resuscitate him. I am very grateful for what Red Cross classes taught me.”
Having volunteered for the Red Cross while she lived in Dallas, TX, Chris was trained in Red Cross First Aid and CPR. She also knew specifics of pet First Aid and CPR and had taken Red Cross water safety classes.
Jade has since put the scary experience behind him. After receiving a snack and taking a rest, he was back in the water swimming within hours. He continues to swim in the water at least once daily.
The Sussex County Chapter of the American Red Cross will be offering a Dog First Aid class on Thursday, September 9th from 6:00pm to 8:30pm at their chapter headquarters in Newton for an all-inclusive price of $40. Participants will receive a full color booklet and DVD. Class size is very limited and will fill up quickly. Contact Karen at 973-579-1600 to register.
Following are others classes being offered by the local Red Cross. Knowing how to respond in an emergency can help save a life.
The full CPR for the Professional Rescuer class is being offered from 6:00pm to 10:00pm on Monday and Tuesday, August 2nd and 3rd. Participants must attend both nights. This course includes the latest science on CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care and participants will learn how to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies in adults, children and infants, how to use an AED on an adult or child victim of cardiac arrest, the proper use of personal protective equipment to stop bloodborne pathogens and other diseases from spreading and more. Registration is required – NO WALK-INS will be accepted.
On Monday, August 9th an Adult CPR/AED course will be offered from 6:00pm – 10:30pm. The course imparts the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care for breathing emergencies, perform CPR, and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to save victims of sudden cardiac arrest. The fee is $50.00.
On Saturday, August 14th a Babysitter’s Training course is being offered from 9:00am to 3:30pm. The Babysitter’s Training course has a unique interactive, educational format that tasks youth, ages 11 – 15 years of age, with activities such as identifying safety problems around the house and yard and selecting age-appropriate toys and games for children in their care. The fee for this course is $65.00
On Monday, August 16th a First Aid course will be offered from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. This course is intended to teach lay responders the knowledge and skills necessary to give care in an emergency, help sustain life and minimize the consequences of injury or sudden illness until medical help arrives. The fee is $45.00.
On Tuesday, August 24th an Infant and Child CPR class will be offered from 6:00pm to 10:30pm. Attendees will learn the skills needed to provide care for infants and children in the case of breathing emergencies, and perform CPR. The fee is $55.00
On Thursday, September 9th a Dog First Aid class is being offered from 6:00pm to 8:30pm at chapter headquarters. Participants will learn what to do in the event their dog is ever injured or has a medical emergency; including breathing emergencies. The fee for this training is $40. 00
On Saturday, September 11th a Babysitter’s Training course is being offered from 9:00am to 3:30pm. The Babysitter’s Training course has a unique interactive, educational format that tasks youth, ages 11 – 15 years of age, with activities such as identifying safety problems around the house and yard and selecting age-appropriate toys and games for children in their care. The fee for this course is $65.00
On Tuesday, September 14th an Infant and Child CPR class will be offered from 6:00pm to 10:30pm. Attendees will learn the skills needed to provide care for infants and children in the case of breathing emergencies, and perform CPR. The fee is $55.00
On Saturday, September 18th an Adult CPR/AED course will be offered from 8:30am – 1:00pm. The course imparts the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care for breathing emergencies, perform CPR, and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to save victims of sudden cardiac arrest. The fee is $50.00.
On Thursday, September 23rd a Standard First Aid course will be offered from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. This course is intended to teach lay responders the knowledge and skills necessary to give care in an emergency, help sustain life and minimize the consequences of injury or sudden illness until medical help arrives. The fee is $45.00.
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.sussexredcross.org or call our office at 973-579-1600.
