New CPR Approach Kicks Off Red Cross Month

By Josh Hinkle, Anchor/Reporter

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By Josh Hinkle

Story Created: Mar 1, 2008 at 10:41 AM CST

Story Updated: Jul 30, 2008 at 1:27 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - Red Cross Month kicked off with Save a Life Saturday at the Grant Wood Area Chapter office. Volunteers changed this year's CPR training in hopes of better preparing participants.

Class sizes were much smaller and instructors utilized step-by-step videos.

Participant Diane Spicer says, "Normally, there's between 60 and 80 people here on Saturdays. We were surprised to come in and just find almost a private class going on here today."

As a bonus, those who take CPR training and donate blood to the Red Cross at any time during march receive a 10% discount on first aid kits.

Red Cross workers also say donating blood this month could be crucial, and supplies are dwindling. Our abnormally harsh winter weather helped to prevent usual crowds of donors. A weekend morning blood drive saw only a few takers.

Donor Roger Lattuier says, "I feel like it's something I can do to give back, and I hope if I ever have an accident or I need it there there's blood there for me."