Batesville, IN—On Monday, November 11 at 11:30 am at the Southeastern Indiana YMCA, two Y staff members, Josh Eckstein and Connie Fledderman, will be awarded the American Red Cross National Lifesaving Award by the American Red Cross. These certificates of merit is for Red Cross trained individuals and other trained individuals, and off-duty professional responders who used any lifesaving skill taught by the American Red Cross or other nationally recognized certification during an incident, such as: first aid, CPR, using an AED or epinephrine auto-injector, giving back blows and abdominal thrusts or even calling 9-1-1 and providing care. The National Lifesaving Awards are issued by American Red Cross headquarters in Washington, D.C. All nominees for the national awards may also have the opportunity to be recognized at their local Red Cross region-specific Hero Recognition events such as this one.
The lifesaving event they are being recognized for happened in late July while Eckstein was on duty as a lifeguard. When he saw a Y member sink under the water, he immediately put the YMCA emergency protocols into action, pulling the member out of the water to perform CPR while Fledderman, Welcome Center staff member, called EMS and came to assist Eckstein with the automated external defibrillator (AED). The Y member had gone into cardiac arrest. The Y member is now on the road to recovery. Had Eckstein and Fledderman not been there to immediately administer CPR and the AED while waiting for emergency services to arrive, the outcome may have been different.
Those interested in obtaining Basic Life Support certification can learn more by calling Batesville Fire & Rescue at (812) 934-2230. Margaret Mary Health also hosts Basic Life Support certification training and you can register by calling (812) 934-5505.
The Y is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the foundations of the Southeastern Indiana community. With a focus on developing the potential of kids, improving individual health and well-being, and giving back and supporting our neighbors – through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. For more information on the Southeastern Indiana YMCA, visit their website at www.siymca.org, call 812-934-6006, or visit them at 30 State Road 129 S, Batesville, IN 47006.
