August 30, 2004

In September 2003, the Save a Life Foundation (SALF) implemented a pilot program within a City of Miami's Holmes Elementary School. The school selected for the pilot was which was the focus of Mayor Manny Diaz's Mentoring and Education Initiatives. Diaz observed the program along with Members of the City of Miami Fire Rescue and a representative from Senator Bob Graham's office.

Diaz believed strongly that it was essential for children from the City of Miami to be equipped with basic life supporting first aid skills and took on the responsible of spearheading the process that to root the Save a Life Foundation within City of Miami schools and ultimately to youth throughout the state of Florida.

At the October executive session of the U.S. Conference of mayors in Miami, Diaz, (along with Palatine Mayor Rita Mullins and SALF's Dane Neal) shared his experience with the program and his vision for the Miami schools:

"First of all, how can you not support a program called Save A Life Foundation?..."I believe that the methods and message of this program are needed in the City of Miami schools", Diaz Said.

Diaz followed up with "I don't know if we will be able to catch up with Mayor Richard M. Daley and Chicago (Where SALF has trained nearly 1 million school children)...but we are certainly going to try".

The SALF program, because it uses only EMS professionals as it's instructors will be part of Diaz's mentoring initiative in an effort to not only teach these essential skills, but to put positive role models in the classroom.

The mission of the City of Miami Office of the Mayor is to create a system of support for the community to enhance the community's ability to utilize the city's infrastructure effectively. The Mayor's vision is a clear focus on youth development. This focus explores a variety of ways in which a municipal government can enhance and support the services offered to the youth within the City of Miami to assist in the development of actively engaged, socially conscience citizens.

The work of Diaz's office naturally overlaps with the mission of the Save a Life Foundation. It is SALF's mission to train and develop people as volunteers equipped with life supporting first aid skills to aid in an emergency

SALF intends to encourage each citizen, school, business, etc, within a community to become emergency prepared in order to strengthen America.

"The implementation of the Save a Life Program in City of Miami schools begins the preparation of a generation of citizens that will understand the value and need to be prepared to act as good Samaritans in the face of emergencies"

Said Lisa Martinez, Senior advisor to the Mayor on Education and Youth Initiatives.

"During our first year, we intend to implement the program in one high school feeder pattern within the City of Miami which would be addressing the training of approximately 10,500 students. This figure includes 3,500 high school students, 3,000 middle school students, and 4,000 elementary school students. The program will be implemented in 2 high schools, 2 middle schools, and 4 elementary schools", added Martinez

The two SALF programs that will be implemented in the Miami schools initiative are:

Save A Life For Kids is a one-hour simplified, age appropriated LSFA training program for children, ages 4-12. This program is taught by local Fire/Police Emergency Medical Service professionals who will review, step-by'step, each skill from a take-home book and hands'on practice to comfortably execute these skills:

• Rescue Breathing
• Early Heart Attack Care
• Heimlich Maneuver, for infant, child and adult
• How to access your local EMS
• Opening an airway
• Control Bleeding
• Recognizing an emergency

Bystander Basics is a two-hour life supporting first aid (LSFA) course that includes one-hour Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) that teaches young adults basic skills to help save a life. Bystander Basics will equip those 13 years and older with skills they need to know if confronted with a life-threatening emergency. The curriculum can be a review of what they previously learned with Save A Life For Kids, with an additional one-hour hands'on CPR training, a stand-alone program in adult language, or a module with advanced courses. The message is basic and repetitive so each student will eventually feel completely comfortable to proactively aid in an emergency. Subjects covered include:

• Scene Safety
• Recognizing an emergency
• Opening an airway
• Early Heart Attack Care
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for infant, child, and adult
• Contacting local EMS
• Control Bleeding
• Heimlich Maneuver, for infant, child, and adult
• Rescue Breathing, for infant, child, and adult

"From the time of an emergency, heart attack, choking, car accident or natural disaster, until emergency medical service professionals arrive, prompt basic aid by the "bystander" can significantly increase a victim's chance of survival. Since the early 90's SALF has determined "Children Do Make A Difference" when empowered at a young age with basic life supporting first aid skills...helping to save lives and to become more responsible citizens.

The Miami/SALF initiative will begin in the Fall of 2004, for more information on SALF and it's programs, log on to www.salf.org.