By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Niles Daily Star
She believes in the American Red Cross. Liz Emrick also believes in the importance of learning CPR.
Emrick just retired as board chair for the Berrien County chapter of the American Red Cross after six years. Her “job” was with the health and safety committee.
On Monday, she was proof that CPR training may be needed at any given moment and that it can save a life.
Al Mingo, Benton Harbor Police Chief, was at the Southshore Health and Racquet Club on Maiden Lane, having a game with his longtime friend. The 54-year-old had experienced some chest pain two weeks before.
Mingo, also trained in CPR and Emrick within a minute of realizing the man was experiencing a heart attack, delivered treatment and used the AED Automated External Defibrillator, according to instructions. “His pulse returned,” she said.
Though she had performed CPR before, it was always in a hospital setting. On Wednesday she visited the man, who she said, “was doing great.”
As an employee of the racquet club, the aquatic director, she is just one of 75 employees who all know CPR. “Anyone who works here could have done what I did,” she said.
She advocates recertification by the Red Cross. “Repetition is the key.”
Normally if you are in a situation where CPR needs to be performed, she said, “it is usually not a stranger.”
Such was the case which found Mingo helping to save the life of his friend since 1969.
Angie LaVanway of the Niles Red Cross said the two represented a local example of how trained lay people can save lives.
With all those people professing New Year's resolutions to workout and lose weight, she hopes they will get a check up from their doctor first.
Classes in CPR are offered in Niles. For more information about the seesions, or a class schedule call the American Red Cross at (269) 683-3180.
Christina “Hope” Janesheski relaxes with her new son, Nathan Stanley, the first baby born at Lakeland Niles in 2006.