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Red Cross First Aid Student Saves Child's Life
Written by Ray Steen, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
January 9, 2002 — When Charles Mitchell decided to get certified in First Aid and CPR, in October 2000, and become an instructional trainer at the YMCA, he had no idea how soon he would put his training into practice. On April 5, 2001, Mitchell, a custodian at Lee Hunter Elementary School in Sikeston, Mo., saved a student's life.
"I saw this little girl with tears in her eyes and her face was a dark color blue," Mitchell said. At first he figured she may be upset or crying, but as he walked closer to her, he found out the situation was much more serious.
With First Aid and CPR training from the Red Cross, Charles Mitchell was able to save Jessica Williams's life.
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"I started choking and I started to see dark dots," recalled fifth-grader Jessica Williams, 11. "I just thought I was going to die because I never choked that bad before in my life."
Mitchell heard kids in the hallway yelling for help. When he looked, he saw Williams grab her throat. He knew immediately what to do.
Drawing on his knowledge from the Red Cross First Aid and CPR courses, Mitchell took the first step of confirming that she was actually choking.
"I asked her if she was choking just to see if she could respond," Mitchell said. "She couldn't say anything. She could only move her head a little. I told her to try to cough, but there was no way she could do it. The food was completely lodged in her windpipe."
Mitchell quickly moved behind her to perform abdominal thrusts. After two thrusts, he dislodged the piece of pizza.
Afterwards, the two went outside for fresh air. "She kept saying, 'Thank you sir, I just knew I was going to die.' "
"It has made me realize how precious life is," Mitchell said. "When you go through the emotions of saving someone's life, it's something that never leaves you. Everyone says I have a friend for life. I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have the emergency lifesaving training from the Red Cross."
A few weeks later, Williams asked to write something on Mitchell's hand. "She drew a picture of a lifesaver," Mitchell said. "It still brings tears to my eyes every time I think about it."
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All American Red Cross disaster assistance is provided at no cost, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross also supplies nearly half of the nation's lifesaving blood. This, too, is made possible by generous voluntary donations. To help the victims of disaster, you may make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. To donate blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or contact your local Red Cross to find out about upcoming blood drives.
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