Red Cross holds instructor institute | Health

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - The American Red Cross always responds in time of need.

This week, the Red Cross in southeast Missouri is holding an instructor institute to help teach volunteers valuable life-saving skills.

Monday, participants learned CPR and first aid skills.

The class instructor says learning life-saving skills are invaluable.

"When we can get CPR initiated, rapidly after the onset of cardiac arrest, your chances go from zero percent survival to about 12 to 16 percent depending on the statistic you look at," said Sharon Essner, a Red Cross instructor. "When we add in, the AED, the defibrillator, survival chances go up to 85 percent."

On Thursday and Friday, the agency will hold a babysitter instructor course.

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