Red Cross Staff Member Saves a Police Officer’s Life

American Red Cross staff member Sidney Ko has been delivering presentations about Basic Aid Training, Fire and Burn Safety and Preparing for the Unexpected throughout Queens for more than a year and a half and is certified in Community CPR and First Aid.  Last year, Sidney used his Red Cross training to help save a life.

During the Pledge of Allegiance before a presentation Sidney was about to give, he noticed that a police officer at the back of the room had fallen to one knee. Sidney immediately went to him.  The officer began to shake violently, as if he were having a seizure, and gasped for air.  Without hesitating, Sidney followed the “three C’s” he’d learned in Red Cross First Aid training. He “checked” the situation to make sure it was safe and asked people to help move chairs and tables out of the way to make room.  He immediately told someone to “call” for an ambulance, then he began to “care” for the officer.

Sidney opened the officer’s shirt and removed his bulletproof vest.  Thinking the officer might be asthmatic, he checked for an inhaler or Medic Alert bracelet, but found neither.  He told someone to call 911 with an update on the officer’s condition and asked people to stand outside and flag down emergency crews because the location was difficult to find. 

While waiting for the ambulance, Sidney comforted the officer. “I reassured him that I was there to help him and that he wasn’t alone. I think that made a difference, that he knew someone was with him,” Sidney said.

Emergency crews arrived shortly afterward and took the officer to the hospital.  He was released the next day and is doing well.

 

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