Saving Lives in Crystal, Plymouth
Joann Leser, a waitress at Crystal Cafe and Grill recently helped rescue a customer who was choking. She performed the Heimlich maneuver, and according to police, saved the person’s life.
“Because of her quick thinking and reactionary skills, the Crystal Police Department and the City Council would like to recognize you for your brave efforts,” said Police Chief Stephanie Revering. “She truly is a hero.” Revering presented the Chief’s Award to Leser for life saving efforts in the community.
Plymouth residents learn how to save lives
The American Heart Association designated Plymouth a Heart Safe Community in 2013. The program recognizes individual communities to improve their system for preventing deaths caused by sudden cardiac arrest.
“You just never know wherever you are at, you might see someone collapse and you need to know what to do,” says Steve Beachler, with the Rotary Club of Plymouth.
The Rotary Club of Plymouth partners with Public Safety to train people in CPR and AED training. Training sessions, like the one held Wednesday night, have been happening for five years and are free. There have even been a few ‘saves’ connected to people trained in sessions like the ones planned this week in Plymouth.
“You start compressions, you send someone to get an AED and you have someone call 9-1-1,” explains Beachler. “If you get started quickly enough, you have a chance for that victim surviving the issue.”
If you want to learn CPR and how to use an AED, check out the calendar for future sessions. There is a training session Saturday, June 23 from 10-11 a.m. at the Public Safety Building. The building is located adjacent to City Hall.
