Alexandra Ripper
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| Alexandra Ripper (Ballwin, MO) received the Red Cross Lifesaver Award for saving her 11-year-old cousin Mallory’s life when she was choking. Through the Red Cross Lifesaver Awards, sponsored by AAA, the Red Cross has celebrated more than 400 local citizens who were able to save a life thanks to their training. Pictured from left to right: John Fuller (Chief Meteorologist, KPLR), Alexandra Ripper (Parkway West High School), Mallory Henak (Alexandra’s cousin), and Cindy Erickson (CEO, American Red Cross). |
Alexandra Ripper is a star student, active in multiple sports like soccer, volleyball and field hockey, and she is an accomplished Girl Scout. These achievements alone would make any parent proud. But it is what happened at her house in February, 2009, that surprised her entire family.
Alex and her brother Ryan were in the basement hanging out with their four cousins after dinner. While the parents were upstairs talking, the kids were playing music, jumping around, and overall having a good time.
Suddenly, Alex’s cousin Mallory started coughing and grabbing for her throat. Alex ran over to her and could see that Mallory was choking. At the same time, Mallory’s sister, Maggie, ran up the stairs to tell an adult what was happening. She met Alex’s mom at the top of the staircase and said, “Hurry! Mallory is choking!”
In the basement, Alex wasted no time. While the other kids looked on in disbelief, Alex calmly put her arms around Mallory’s waist and began upward abdominal thrusts. By the time Alex’s mom reached the basement – less than a minute later – Mallory coughed up the wad of gum that had caused her to choke.
Alex says she learned her lifesaving skills a couple of ways – first, with a First Aid Badge in Girls Scouts six years ago. Then in 2005, she took a Babysitting class through St. John’s Mercy Hospital. While she certainly never thought she would need to use those skills – her entire family is grateful that she remembered them during this emergency.