Even though he was miles away, Al Barnett helped save a baby’s life. How? Al taught the baby’s grandmother First Aid and CPR skills through an American Red Cross Health and Safety Course.

 

The incident helped the grandmother understand the importance of knowing First Aid and CPR. She decided to come back the following year for recertification. Al later recalled, “When the woman realized I was the same instructor who had taught her the previous year, she came up to me and said that only a few weeks after her class she had to use the First Aid skills she learned to help save her granddaughter’s life. But, since she knew what to do, she didn’t panic and reacted swiftly.”

 

Health and fitness are Al’s forte. He served in the Army and Department of Defense and was a personal trainer at the YMCA. While at the YMCA, Al mentioned to a coworker he was looking for a place to volunteer. Knowing Al’s interest in health and safety, the coworker encouraged Al to volunteer at the local American Red Cross.

 

It didn’t take much to persuade Al, and he soon became a Red Cross Certified Instructor by taking a class at the St. Charles County Service Center. Since taking this class more than ten years ago, Al has taught at least two Red Cross First Aid and CPR classes each month. That’s more than 240 classes!

 

Al divides his time between the St. Louis Area Chapter headquarters and the St. Charles County Service Center, the place where it all began. Al said it is the stories like the grandmother who helped save her granddaughter’s life that inspire him to keep teaching. “When you hear how the skills you taught someone helped them save a life, it makes you feel satisfied.”

 

Everywhere he goes, Al’s personality, dedication and sincerity create a comfort level among his students and those he works beside. Mary Beth Ohlms, Manager of Health and Safety Services said, “He is an excellent instructor and is always willing to help us with a last minute need if at all possible. And, as soon as I hear Al’s voice or see him coming around the corner, I automatically start smiling without even being aware of it.”

 

For anyone thinking about signing up for First Aid, CPR or Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training, Al suggests “Heart attacks and choking occur mostly in homes. Think about the fact that by taking a class, you would be prepared to react in an emergency situation and potentially save a family member’s life.”