On July 11, 2018, Geneva Wollman called on her American Red Cross CPR training to save the life of a 3-year-old girl found at the bottom of the pool at the Mobridge Aquatic Center. She dove in and brought the child to the surface. The toddler was not breathing, and Geneva performed CPR immediately. The child began breathing again shortly before the ambulance arrived.

For this heroic and lifesaving action, Geneva Wollman received the Red Cross Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders in a ceremony on Thursday, June 6, at the Great Plains Family Restaurant in Mobridge.

The Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders is the highest award given by the Red Cross to individuals or a group of individuals who save or sustain a life using skills learned in a Red Cross Training Services course.

“We’re extremely proud to present a Lifesaving Award to Geneva,” said Richard Smith, Red Cross Executive Director for Central and Western South Dakota. “Her actions exemplify our mission to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.”

The identity of the child is not being disclosed, but the emergency room doctor notified the Mobridge Aquatic Center that the child was recovering nicely, the family was very appreciative, and that Geneva’s actions were directly responsible for the child being alive.

LEARN LIFESAVING SKILLS

Red Cross training gives people 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.

NOMINATE A HERO

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.