by Larry Dietz

On the weekend of March 16, Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) volunteers supported the Wings Over Solano Air Show at Travis Air Force Base. This exciting event is held every two years to welcome the public to the Air Base and show off a wide range of military aircrafts, both past and present.

SAF volunteer Liz Dietz led the Red Cross effort which included more than 20 SAF volunteers from the Northern California Coastal Region. Volunteers taught Hands-Only CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to over 200 visitors throughout the weekend.

Hands-Only CPR teaches people how to perform chest compressions on someone experiencing cardiac arrest. It is a simplified but effective version of CPR that can be easily learned and help save lives. With half a million cardiac arrests occurring each year, learning Hands-Only CPR can increase the chance of survival when bystanders take action.

Red Cross volunteers also ran the very popular “disaster wheel” game with over 400 participants during the weekend. This is a game show-like way of teaching people, mostly children, about disasters and how to respond to them. Participants spin the wheel and answer a question based on the topic indicated by their wheel spin. Topics include what to do if there is a home fire or an earthquake. Those who answer correctly earn a small prize from the Red Cross.

Volunteers also provided information about Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces, Disaster Services, blood donation and how to become a volunteer. Special thanks to Stuart Chessen, Robbie Gaines and Christine Medeiros, who were especially helpful in speaking with attendees throughout the weekend and sharing more about Red Cross programs and services. Visit our Flickr Albums to see some amazing photos of Wings Over Solano Day 1 and Day 2.

The Navy’s Blue Angels might have been the star attraction of the air show, but the Red Cross shined in providing support to the U.S. military as a key element of the Red Cross Federal Charter and overall mission.