Red Cross ‘Circle of Survival' launch deemed success

Newton - The first “Circle of Survival” program launched by the Sussex County chapter of the American Red Cross drew a full house and was forced to turn away a number of callers who sought to register for the course after it was closed. The new program is designed to conveniently provide Sussex County parents with the knowledge and skills they need to save the lives of their infants and small children in emergencies. Infants, small children and parents attended classes together for the first time as a principal feature of the new program. Held at the Newton headquarters of the Sussex County chapter earlier this month, the course had a tuition capped at $5 per family instead of the usual $40 fee per person. “The initial Circle of Survival course was a success, according to those who attended, and we look forward to scheduling additional dates for this program in the future,” according to Kristi Young, director of programs and services for the chapter. The program is in part a response to a possible rise in the numbers of babies with a reflux syndrome that can lead to emergency breathing situations and become life-threatening. This led to parents being referred to the Red Cross for CPR training. “With Circle of Survival, parents and children attend classes together, making it more convenient than ever for parents to obtain the CPR training they need and want,” said Young. “There’s no need for parents to feel they can’t access and acquire life-saving skills, either because they can’t get a baby sitter or be separated from their infants and small children in order to take the class, or because night-time classes are too difficult for them.” The Sussex County chapter of the American Red Cross is located at 93 Spring St. in Newton. For information, call 973 579-1600 or log on to sussexredcross.org.