SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (March 11, 2020) — Public Health Services Lieutenant Commander Crystal Madrigal and United States Navy Hospital Corpsman First Class Juan Madrigal helped save an infant’s life at Ontario Mills after she stopped breathing and experienced a seizure-like episode. For this heroic and lifesaving action, Lieutenant Commander Madrigal and Corpsman Madrigal received the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action on March 10, 2020.
“The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action is given to individuals like Lieutenant Commander Madrigal and Corpsman Madrigal who step up in an emergency situation and help save a life,” said Yevette Baysinger, Executive Director of the Red Cross of San Bernardino County. “These two exemplify the mission of the Red Cross to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies and should be commended for their willingness to help others in distress.”
On March 24, 2019, Lieutenant Commander Madrigal and Corpsman Madrigal were visiting the Rainforest Café at Ontario Mills when they noticed a frantic mother holding her infant who was not breathing. When the child did not respond to any stimuli, Rainforest Café staff called 9-1-1. After asking for permission and confirming the environment was safe, Lieutenant Commander Madrigal and Corpsman Madrigal saw the child was having a seizure-like episode. She was foaming at the mouth, her lips were a bluish color and she had no pulse. Lieutenant Commander Madrigal and Corpsman Madrigal began performing two-rescuer CPR. The infant started breathing again and her skin returned to a normal color. She stabilized as EMTs arrived and took over.
Red Cross training empowers people with the knowledge and skills to act in an emergency and save a life. A variety of online, blended (online and in-person skills session) and classroom courses are available at redcross.org/takeaclass.
If you or someone you know has used skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Training Services course to help save or sustain the life of another individual, visit LifesavingAwards.org to nominate, recognize or be inspired.
For more information about the American Red Cross of San Bernardino County, please visit redcross.org/dts.
About the American Red Cross Desert to the Sea Region
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The American Red Cross Desert to the Sea Region has proudly served Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties for more than 100 years. For more information, please visit redcross.org/dts or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter or Facebook.
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